hit-and-run

1 of 3

adjective

ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈrən 

1

: being or relating to a hit-and-run in baseball

2

: being or involving a motor-vehicle driver who does not stop after being involved in an accident

3

: involving or intended for quick specific action or results

a hit-and-run raid

hit-and-run

2 of 3

noun

: a baseball play calling for a runner on first to begin running as a pitch is delivered and for the batter to attempt to hit the pitch

hit-and-run

3 of 3

verb

hit-and-ran; hitting-and-running; hit-and-runs

intransitive verb

: to execute a hit-and-run play in baseball

Examples of hit-and-run in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Two North Texas brothers are recovering from severe injuries after they were struck in a hit-and-run crash while walking to a Dallas Mavericks game last month. —Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

The officers pursued the Kia to the intersection of University Avenue and Donohoe Street, where it was involved in a hit-and-run collision, according to authorities. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025

Noun

The vehicle had damage to the front passenger side, was missing pieces like those found at the scene of the hit-and-run and matched the black sedan’s description, according to the complaint. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026

Brown was charged with felony death by vehicle, hit-and-run, and possession of cocaine. —Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

Maryland State Police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a 30-year-old man dead early Sunday morning in Baltimore County. —Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

Police have arrested a 31-year-old Baltimore man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in the 2200 block of McCulloh Street, authorities said. —Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1904, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hit-and-run

• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• overrun
• povidone
• trazodone
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun

Kids Definition

hit-and-run

adjective

-ˈrən

1

: being or involving a motor-vehicle driver who does not stop after having an accident

2

: involving or intended for quick action or results

Legal Definition

hit-and-run

adjective

1

: having left the scene of a motor vehicle accident without stopping to fulfill the duties imposed by law (as rendering aid or giving identification)

a hit-and-run driver

2

: involving or concerning a hit-and-run driver

a hit-and-run accident

hit-and-run statutes