run down

verb

ran down; run down; running down; runs down

transitive verb

1

a

: to collide with and knock down

b

: to run against and cause to sink

2

a

: to chase to exhaustion or until captured

The cops ran the thief down in an alley.

b

: to find (someone or something) after searching

c

: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown

3

: disparage

was always running himself down

4

: to say or repeat from beginning to end

ran down the list of names

intransitive verb

1

: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power

the clock ran down

2

: to decline in physical condition or vigor

Synonyms of run down

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• track (down)
• get
• find out

Examples of run down in a Sentence

finally ran down the answer after hours of research

constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it

Recent Examples on the Web

Eastern diamondbacks Eastern diamondbacks can be brown, yellow or tan, with black, brown and cream diamonds running down their backs. —Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 3 June 2026

After one player from each team was ejected for throwing punches, Helix rallied from three runs down to defeat Covina 14-7 on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Southern California Regional Division 3 playoffs. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026

Diamondbacks center fielder Jorge Barrosa ran down five fly balls by Dodgers hitters. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 2 June 2026

The Sooners also rallied from six runs down to defeat Georgia Tech 15-8 on Sunday, forcing Monday’s elimination game. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for run down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

rundown

1 of 3 noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 

: an item by item report : summary

run-down

2 of 3 adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: being in poor condition

a run-down farm

2

: being in or indicating poor health

that run-down feeling

run down

3 of 3 verb

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: to collide with and knock down

2

a

: to chase until exhausted or captured

b

: to find by search : trace the source of

3

: to stop operating because of the exhaustion of an energy source

the battery ran down