run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Justice Department has historically avoided overt investigative actions involving candidates in the immediate run-up to an election. — Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

The recent run-up in rates has dented municipal bond prices, leaving one corner of the market offering especially attractive tax-free income. — Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Paxton needs to run up the score in west Texas while Talarico seeks to blunt his advantage in the region while racking up big margins in the state’s sprawling metro areas of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026

In the end one always runs up against the fact that what one most wants to write is unsayable. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill