Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

the run of

idiom

Definition of the run of

: the freedom to go anywhere or do anything one wants in (a place)
  • With his parents gone, he had the run of the house.

Word by Word Definitions

run play

  1. : to go faster than a walk

  2. : to move at a fast gallop

  3. : flee, retreat, escape

  1. : an act or the action of running : continued rapid movement

  2. : a quickened gallop

  3. : a migration of fish (as up or down a river) especially to spawn

  1. : being in a melted state

  2. : made from molten material : cast in a mold

  3. : having made a migration or spawning run

See the full definition of run

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up the run of? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games