run down
verb
ran down; run down; running down; runs down
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
1
: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power
the clock ran down
2
: to decline in physical condition or vigor
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
In left field, Taylor kept the Reds from going ahead by running down a fly ball near the line and throwing out a baserunner at home plate.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
For a young man who had scarcely left Utah in his youth, every corner seemed to be a revelation, of water buffalo shimmering from mud baths and children running down dirt roads.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
With encouragement from Kincaid, Lee, 49, began by planting small sages that would grow quickly and help prevent erosion, since water, mulch and rain often ran down the hillside to the sidewalk.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
West then runs down the alley and can be seen leaving the gun in bushes at 6770 Collins Avenue.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for run down
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
For a young man who had scarcely left Utah in his youth, every corner seemed to be a revelation, of water buffalo shimmering from mud baths and children running down dirt roads.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
With encouragement from Kincaid, Lee, 49, began by planting small sages that would grow quickly and help prevent erosion, since water, mulch and rain often ran down the hillside to the sidewalk.
—Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
West then runs down the alley and can be seen leaving the gun in bushes at 6770 Collins Avenue.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for run down
Cite this Entry
“Run down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run%20down. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rundown
1 of 3 noun
run·down
ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 
: an item by item report : summary
run-down
2 of 3 adjectiveˈrən-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 verbˈrən-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
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