1
: in very bad condition because of age or lack of care
They lived in a run-down farmhouse in rural Maine.
2
not used before a noun
: in poor health or physical condition : worn-out or exhausted
You look run-down.
plural rundowns
1
: a quick report about the main parts of something
They gave us a rundown on/of the main points of the news.
2
British
: a gradual reduction in the size of a business, activity, etc.
a rundown of/in our public services
3
baseball
: a play in which a runner is chased by two or more opposing players who throw the ball to each other in an attempt to tag the runner out
He was caught in a rundown.
Cite this Entry
“Run-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/run-down. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
