1
: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2
: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material
ran off; run off; running off; runs off
1
a
: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
b
: to cause to be run or played to a finish
c
: to decide (a race) by a runoff
d
2
: to drain off : draw off
3
a
: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)
b
: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away
see also run off with
Examples of runoff in a Sentence
Verb
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Recent Examples on the Web
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Nov. 2025
In an October primary election, Duncan won 47% of the vote in a three-candidate race to force a runoff with Lombard, who had garnered 46% of the vote.
—CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
About half a block away, investigators say the same man confronted two women — the tow truck driver's daughters — and opened fire, shooting both of them before running off.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
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Noun
Marrero’s first-round performance, capturing 25% of the vote in a field of five candidates, secured him a spot in the runoff, with his message of youth and energy resonating strongly with voters.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 18 Nov. 2025
In an October primary election, Duncan won 47% of the vote in a three-candidate race to force a runoff with Lombard, who had garnered 46% of the vote.
—CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
The outlets reported that the woman walked onto a nearby bridge and continued spraying passengers before running off.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025
About half a block away, investigators say the same man confronted two women — the tow truck driver's daughters — and opened fire, shooting both of them before running off.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runoff
1 of 2 noun
run·off
ˈrən-ˌȯf 
1
: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor
2
: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams
run off
2 of 2 verbˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
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