running mate

noun

1
2
: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable
3
: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket
especially : the candidate for vice president

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson. inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school
Recent Examples on the Web Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, who Trump is said to be considering for his running mate, suggested that the Jim Crow era had an upside. Kellen Browning, New York Times, 6 June 2024 A lot hangs in the balance on who Trump chooses: His running mate could help shape the future of the MAGA movement. Jeongyoon Han, NPR, 6 June 2024 Trump, who does not yet have a running mate, has not accepted this debate yet. Major Garrett, CBS News, 31 May 2024 Trump has not selected a running mate to be his vice president. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for running mate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'running mate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of running mate was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near running mate

Cite this Entry

“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

running mate

noun
: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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