running

1 of 3

noun

run·​ning ˈrə-niŋ 

1

a

: the action of running

b

: race entry 2

2

: physical condition for running

3

: management, care

see also in the running, out of the running

running

2 of 3

adjective

1

: cursive, flowing

2

: fluid, runny

3

a

: incessant, continuous

a running battle

a running joke/gag

b

: made during the course of a process or activity

a running commentary on the game

4

: measured in a straight line

cost of lumber per running foot

5

a

: initiated or performed while running or with a running start

a running catch

a running jump

b

: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing

their running game was off

c

: designed for use by runners

a running track

running shoes

6

: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping

a running horse

running

3 of 3

adverb

: in succession : consecutively

three days running

Synonyms of running

Noun

• management
• operation
• handling
• control
• administration
• supervision
• direction
• government
• stewardship
• oversight

Adjective

• operating
• operational
• operative

Adverb

• successively
• together
• repeatedly
• consecutively
• continuously
• constantly

Examples of running in a Sentence

Noun

He took up running for exercise.

They go running every evening.

Adjective

Never add fuel to a running engine.

The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease.

The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.

She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip.

Adverb

He has won the competition three times running.

he won the championship five times running

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Patriots’ defense wasn’t leaving the Chargers’ and Texans’ running games any room to breathe. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

Sky finally got the hot tag to Ripley, who immediately attacked Morgan with a series of vicious clotheslines and a fallaway slam followed by a running dropkick. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Adjective

In a game where the ‘Hawks might try to slow things down with the running game, Stafford will come out guns blazing and dare Seattle to keep up. —Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026

Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley discusses his plan to call defensive plays, his thoughts on the running game and building around the quarterback. —Staff Reports, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1651, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing running

• come running
• going/running through your mind
• hand running
• hit the ground running
• running around like a chicken with its head cut off
• running back
• running battle
• running board
• running dog
• running gear
• running hand
• running head
• running joke/gag
• running jump
• running knot
• running light
• running mate
• running start
• running stitch
• running time
• running title
• running water
• take a running jump
• up and running

Rhymes for running

• bunning
• cunning
• dunning
• gunning
• punning
• shunning
• stunning
• sunning
• overrunning

Kids Definition

running

1 of 3 noun

run·​ning

ˈrən-iŋ

: the action of running

running

2 of 3 adjective

1

: going on steadily : continuous

a running battle

2

: measured in a straight line

3

: done while running or with a running start

a running jump

4

: made or trained for running

a running track

running shoes

a running horse

running

3 of 3 adverb

: one after another : in a row : consecutively

for three days running