run-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin 

1

British : the final part of a race or racetrack

2

: altercation, quarrel

3

: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter

run in

2 of 2

verb

ran in; run in; running in; runs in

transitive verb

1

a

: to insert as additional matter

b

: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break

2

: to arrest for a usually minor offense

3

chiefly British : to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation

intransitive verb

: to pay a casual visit

Synonyms

Noun

• encounter

Verb

• visit
• run (over)
• stop (by or in)
• drop by
• come over
• step in
• drop in
• come by
• call

Examples of run-in in a Sentence

Noun

the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Verb

I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.

if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sheets lost his glove over the wall going back on a ball last month and came away with another run-in with the wall earlier this month nursing various ailments to his head, hip, wrist and thumb. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Meanwhile, Chisholm’s run-ins with Baltimore backstops had the Yankees raving. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025

Verb

Madrid, in contrast, are run in a much more streamlined and coherent way, despite the odd interjection from president Florentino Perez. —Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Miami starter Cal Quantrill gave three hits and two runs in five innings, with five strikeouts and one walk. —Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for run-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

run-in

noun

ˈrən-ˌin

: an angry dispute : quarrel