run
56 ENTRIES FOUND:
- run (verb)
- run (noun)
- run–down (adjective)
- run–in (noun)
- running (noun)
- running (adjective)
- running (adverb)
- running back (noun)
- running board (noun)
- running mate (noun)
- running start (noun)
- running time (noun)
- running water (noun)
- run–of–the–mill (adjective)
- run–through (noun)
- run–up (noun)
- run batted in (noun)
- dry run (noun)
- dummy run (noun)
- end run (noun)
- first–run (adjective)
- hit–and–run (adjective)
- hit–and–run (noun)
- home run (noun)
- long run (noun)
- rat run (noun)
- short run (noun)
- test run (noun)
- trial run (noun)
- well–run (adjective)
- afoul of (adverb)
- blood (noun)
- buffer (noun)
- cold (adjective)
- cut (verb)
- deep (adverb)
- eye (noun)
- foot (noun)
- ground (noun)
- high (adverb)
- hit (verb)
- interference (noun)
- jump (noun)
- money (noun)
- mouth (noun)
- ragged (adjective)
- riot (noun)
- risk (noun)
- seed (noun)
- ship (noun)
- still (adjective)
- table (noun)
- tight (adjective)
- walk (verb)
- water (noun)
- wild (adverb)
Britannica Dictionary definition of RUN
1
[no object]
a
:
to move with your legs at a speed that is faster than walking
— often used figuratively
-
How fast can you run?
-
He runs faster than anyone else on the team.
-
She ran up the stairs to get her jacket.
-
We ran for the train—but missed it.
-
I heard her scream and ran to help.
-
She ran to me for help.
-
The dog ran away from me.
-
The dog ran toward me.
-
When I called the dog, he came running.
-
Don't expect me to come running every time you want something. I'm not your servant.
-
The chickens were running loose in the yard.
-
The horses ran wild.
-
He ran at me with a knife. [=he ran toward me with a knife in his hand]
-
He ran back to his ex-girlfriend after I dumped him.
-
You can't keep running away from your problems.
-
Don't come running to me when you get in trouble.
-
Don't let your imagination run wild. I'm sure nothing bad has happened.
b
:
to leave a place quickly by running
— often + away
— often + off
-
When the alarm sounded, the robbers ran.
-
He dropped the gun and ran.
-
Quick! Run and get a doctor!
-
The ambushed soldiers ran for cover.
-
They had the enemy running scared.
-
When she saw all the people in the audience, she had a sudden urge to run away.
-
They ran away screaming.
-
When they saw the police, they quickly ran off.
2
a
:
to run as part of a sport, for exercise, or in a race
[no object]
-
He ran on the track team in college.
-
She's running in the marathon this year.
-
The horse will not be running in this race.
[+ object]
-
I run six miles every day.
-
She ran a great race. [=she ran very well in the race]
-
He ran track in college.
-
She's running the marathon this year.
-
The marathon will be run tomorrow. [=people will be running the marathon tomorrow]
b
American football
:
to carry and run with (the ball)
[+ object]
-
He ran the football for a 20-yard gain.
-
He ran the kick back [=he caught the ball that was kicked and ran back with it] to the 40-yard line.
[no object]
-
He ran for 15 yards.
c
baseball
:
to run from base to base
[no object]
-
He runs well and might attempt a steal.
[+ object]
-
He runs the bases well.
3
[+ object]
:
to cause (an animal) to run
-
He ran the horse through the fields.
4
[no object]
chiefly US
:
to be a candidate in an election for a particular office
— often + for
— often + against
-
She is running [=(Brit) standing] for mayor.
-
He is running against her in the upcoming election.
5
[+ object]
a
:
to direct the business or activities of (something)
-
She runs [=manages] the restaurant/hotel/store.
-
He runs the after-school program.
-
The President is doing a good job running the country.
-
The company is badly/privately run.
-
state/family-run companies
-
I'm old enough to run my own life! [=make my own decisions]
b
:
to do (a test or check) on someone or something
— often + on
-
The doctors need to run some more tests.
-
The doctors ran some tests on the blood samples.
-
The police ran a security check on him.
6
a
[+ object]
:
to use and control (something)
-
I'm not licensed to run [=operate] a forklift.
b
[+ object]
:
to put (something) into operation
-
You should run the engine for a few minutes before you start driving.
-
He ran the program (on the computer).
c
[no object]
:
to function or operate
— often + on
-
Never leave your car unattended while the engine is running.
-
He didn't know the camera was still running.
-
He had his new computer up and running in no time.
-
This software runs on most computers.
-
The car runs on [=uses] diesel.
7
a
usually followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to go on a particular route or at particular times
-
The bus/ferry runs every hour.
-
The train runs between New York and Washington.
-
Trains no longer run on this track.
-
The buses are running late. [=the buses are late]
b
[+ object]
:
to have (a bus, train, ferry, etc.) traveling on a route
-
They run extra trains on Saturdays.
8
a
[no object]
:
to make a quick trip to a place for something
-
She ran (up/down) to the store for bread and milk.
-
He ran over to the neighbors for some sugar.
b
[+ object]
:
to drive (someone) a short distance to a place or event
-
I have to run the kids to soccer practice.
c
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to bring (something) quickly to someone who is at a particular place
-
Wait here. I'm just going to run this in/inside to her.
-
He ran an umbrella out to her before she drove off.
d
[+ object]
:
to do (something that involves making a quick trip)
:
to do (an errand)
-
I have a few errands to run after I leave work today.
9
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
[+ object]
:
to cause (a driver or vehicle) to move in a particular direction
-
That car tried to run me off the road!
-
She ran her car off the road.
-
He ran the car into a tree.
b
[no object]
of a driver or vehicle
:
to move in a particular direction
—
see also run into (below), run over (below)
-
His car ran off the road. = He ran off the road.
10
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
[+ object]
:
to cause (something) to pass through, over, along, or into something else
-
She ran her fingers through my hair.
-
He ran a brush over the dog's fur.
-
I quickly ran my eyes over/down the list of names.
b
[no object]
:
to travel or spread in a fast or uncontrolled way
-
Whispers ran through the crowd.
-
A chill ran up/down my spine.
11
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[no object]
a
:
to go or extend in a particular direction
— sometimes used figuratively
-
The boundary line runs east.
-
The road runs through the mountain.
-
The highway runs from Boston to New York.
-
My tastes in novels run to/toward science fiction and thrillers. [=I tend to like science fiction and thrillers]
-
Such behavior runs counter to [=such behavior does not agree with] the values of our society.
-
He does nothing that would run against [=go against] his moral principles.
b
— used to describe the position of a road, path, etc.
-
The highway runs close to the shore.
-
The route runs the length of the eastern coast.
-
A path runs along the ridge.
-
The pipes run beneath the floor.
-
There was a scratch running down the side of the car.
12
[+ object]
:
to cause (something, such as a wire or cable) to go or extend from one point to another
-
He ran the wires up from the basement.
13
[+ object]
:
to bring (something) from one country into another country illegally and secretly
-
He was arrested for running [=smuggling] drugs into the country.
14
a
[no object]
:
to flow
:
to flow in a particular direction
-
He left the water running.
-
The river runs down to the valley.
-
The river runs into the gulf.
-
The tide was running out.
-
Sand ran out of the bag.
-
Steam runs through the pipes.
-
Blood was running down his leg.
b
[+ object]
:
to cause (something) to flow or to produce a flow of water
-
She ran the tap/faucet.
-
Run the water until it gets hot.
c
[+ object]
:
to prepare (a bath) by running a faucet
-
She ran a hot bath for her husband. = She ran her husband a hot bath.
15
[no object]
a
:
to produce a flow of liquid
-
Chopping the onions made my eyes run. [=water]
-
I knew I was getting sick when my nose started to run.
-
a running sore
b
:
to spread or flow into another area
-
Your eyeliner is running.
-
Mascara ran from her eyes.
-
The paint ran in some spots.
-
The writing was blurred where the ink ran.
c
:
to have a color that spreads onto other pieces of clothing when clothes are washed together
-
Her red shirt ran and made my blue jeans look purple.
-
colors that run
16
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to continue or remain effective for a particular period of time
-
His contract runs until next season.
-
She received six months on each charge, and the sentences are to run concurrently.
-
The course runs over a six-week period of time.
-
The televised game ran 30 minutes over the scheduled time.
-
The play has run for six months.
-
Things ran smoothly at the office while the boss was away.
17
[no object]
:
to be or to begin to be something specified
-
The well has run dry.
-
Her creativity has run dry.
-
We are running low on fuel. [=our supply of fuel is getting low]
-
Supplies were running low/short.
-
We ran short of money. [=we did not have enough money]
-
I have to hurry. I'm running late. [=I'm late; I'm behind schedule]
-
The project is running behind schedule.
18
[no object]
:
to include everything between specified limits
:
range
-
The prices for tickets run from $10 to $50.
19
[+ object]
:
to allow charges on (a bill) to add up before paying
-
He ran a tab at the bar.
20
a
[+ object]
:
to have (an amount of money) as a price
-
The rooms run [=cost] $100 a night.
b
[no object]
:
to have or reach a particular length, size, or amount
-
The book runs (to) nearly 500 pages.
-
Their annual budget runs to about 5 million dollars.
-
Their yearly income runs into/to six figures. [=their yearly income is more than $100,000]
-
Gas is running at over $4 per gallon. [=gas prices are over $4 per gallon]
21
a
[+ object]
:
to print or broadcast (something)
-
Every newspaper in the city ran the story.
-
The ad was run in yesterday's newspaper.
-
The news station ran a feature on how to eat healthier.
b
[no object]
:
to appear in print or on television
-
Many of his stories ran in national magazines.
-
The show has run for five seasons.
22
[+ object]
:
to produce (a copy of a document, newspaper, etc.) using a printer or copying machine
—
see also run off (below)
-
10,000 copies were run for the first edition.
23
a
[+ object]
:
to have (particular words) in writing or print
-
“We Will Not Lose” ran the headline. [=the headline was/said “We Will Not Lose”]
b
[no object]
:
to be expressed in words
-
The definition runs as follows …
24
[+ object]
:
to drive past or through (a stop sign or red traffic light) illegally without stopping
-
He ran a red light. = He ran the light.
-
She ran the stop sign.
25
[no object]
US, of stockings
:
to start to have a long hole that continues to get longer
-
The nylons are guaranteed not to run. [=(Brit) ladder]
26
[+ object]
chiefly British
:
to own and maintain (a vehicle)
-
I can't afford to run a car on my salary.
run across
[phrasal verb]
run across (someone or something)
:
to meet (someone) or find (something) by chance
-
I ran across [=ran into] an old roommate of mine today.
-
I ran across some old photos from when I was a kid.
run a fever/temperature
◊ If you are running a fever/temperature, you have a body temperature that is higher than normal.
run after
[phrasal verb]
1
run after (someone or something)
:
to run toward (someone or something) in an attempt to catch that person or thing
-
The dog ran after [=chased] the squirrel.
2
run after (someone)
informal + disapproving
:
to try to start a romantic relationship with (someone)
-
He's always running after younger women.
run along
[phrasal verb] informal + somewhat old-fashioned
:
to go away
:
leave
-
He told the boy to run along home.
-
Run along now, kid. This doesn't concern you.
run around
[phrasal verb] or chiefly British run about or run round
1
:
to run in an area while playing
-
The children were running around outside.
2
informal
:
to go from place to place in a busy or hurried way
-
I spent the whole day running around doing errands.
3
run around/about/round with (someone)
informal + disapproving
:
to spend a lot of time with (someone)
-
He runs around with younger women.
run away
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to leave your home suddenly without permission and go somewhere else to live
—
see also runaway
-
He ran away (from home) at a young age.
-
They ran away [=ran off] together because their families objected to their marriage.
2
:
to avoid a person or situation that makes you feel uncomfortable
-
You shouldn't keep running away. You should face your mom and tell her how you feel.
3
a
run away with (someone)
disapproving
:
to leave a person or place in order to live with and have a sexual relationship with (someone)
-
He left his wife and ran away with [=ran off with] his secretary.
-
She ran away with a man old enough to be her father.
b
run away with (something)
:
to leave a place with (something that does not belong to you)
-
The butler ran away with [=stole, ran off with] the family silver.
4
run away with (something)
informal
a
:
to be the best or most popular performer in (a performance)
-
She ran away with [=stole] the show.
b
:
to win (something) very easily
-
She ran away with the election.
-
He ran away with first place.
5
run away with (someone)
:
to make (someone) do something that is not sensible or reasonable
—
see also 1run 1b (above)
-
Don't let your imagination run away with you. [=don't let yourself imagine all kinds of things that aren't true]
run by/past
[phrasal verb]
run (something) by/past (someone)
:
to tell (something) to (someone) so that it can be considered, approved, etc.
-
You'd better run this past the boss. [=you'd better tell the boss about this and find out if he/she thinks it is a good idea]
-
He ran some ideas by her.
-
(informal) Can you run that by me again? [=can you repeat what you just said?]
run down
[phrasal verb]
1
run (someone or something) down
or
run down (someone or something)
:
to hit and knock down (a person or animal) with a vehicle
-
He says she deliberately tried to run him down.
2
run (someone or something) down
or
run down (someone or something)
a
:
to chase after and catch (a person or animal)
-
The cops ran the robber down in an alley.
b
:
to find (someone or something) after searching
-
He wasn't in his office, but I finally ran him down in the faculty lounge.
3
run down
or
run down (something)
or
run (something) down
a
:
to use up or cause (something) to use up all of its power
-
The clock ran down. [=the clock slowed down and stopped working because it did not have any more power]
-
The watch's battery ran down.
-
Turn off the radio so you don't run down the batteries.
b
British
:
to become or cause (something, such as a business or activity) to become gradually smaller
-
The company has been running down for decades.
-
The company has been running down its factories/inventory.
4
run (someone or something) down
or
run down (someone or something)
informal
:
to criticize (someone or something) in usually an unfair way
-
Don't keep running yourself down like that: you have a lot to offer!
5
run down (something)
:
to say or repeat (a list of people or things) from the beginning to the end
—
see also rundown
-
Let me just run down all the things we need to do.
-
He ran down the list of names.
run for it
informal
:
to run to avoid being caught
-
It's the cops! Run for it!
run high
:
to be or become very strong or intense
-
Passions often run high in these debates. [=people often get very angry in these debates]
-
Emotions are running high between the two teams.
run in
[phrasal verb]
1
run (someone) in
or
run in (someone)
informal + somewhat old-fashioned
:
to arrest (someone)
-
The police ran him in for being drunk and disorderly.
2
run (something) in
or
run in (something)
British
:
to drive (a new vehicle) carefully for a period of time until it is ready for regular use
-
You shouldn't drive a new car too fast while you're running it in. [=breaking it in]
run into
[phrasal verb]
1
run into (someone or something)
:
to move into (someone or something) in a sudden or forceful way
-
He went off the road and ran into a tree. = His car went off the road and ran into a tree.
-
Some guy on a bike almost ran into me!
-
She wasn't paying attention and ran right into the table.
2
run into (someone)
:
to meet (someone) by chance
-
I ran into [=ran across] an old classmate the other day.
3
run into (something)
:
to experience (something that is unpleasant or difficult)
:
encounter
-
We ran into some bad weather on our way home.
-
We ran into some problems setting up the computer.
run its course
◊ When something runs its course, it begins, continues for a time, and then ends.
-
The disease usually runs its course in a few days.
run off
[phrasal verb]
1
informal
a
:
to leave or abandon a person or place
—
see also 1run 1b (above)
-
Her husband ran off and left her with two small children to care for.
b
run off with (someone or something)
:
to leave a place with (someone or something)
:
to run away with (someone or something)
-
Her husband ran off with his secretary.
-
She ran off with all the money.
2
run off (something)
or
run (something) off
:
to repeat or produce (something) quickly
—
see also 1run 22 (above)
-
Would you please run off five copies of this letter?
3
run (someone or something) off
or
run off (someone or something)
US
:
to force (a person or animal) off your land
-
He ran us off his property.
run on
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to talk about something for a long time
-
He ran on (and on) about politics until everybody was bored.
2
:
to keep going without being stopped or interrupted for a long period of time
-
The meeting ran on for hours.
run out
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to come to an end
-
Time ran out [=expired] before we could tie the game.
-
My contract will run out soon.
b
:
to become used up
-
The gasoline ran out before we got to Denver.
-
Our money finally ran out. [=our money was all used; we had no more money]
2
run (someone) out
or
run (someone) out of (something)
old-fashioned
:
to force (someone) to leave a place
-
An angry mob ran him out of town.
3
run out (something)
or
run (something) out
baseball, of a batter
:
to run hard to first base after hitting (a batted ball)
-
His manager got angry because he failed to run out a grounder.
4
run out
or
run out of (something)
:
to use up the available supply of (something)
-
We're low on gas. We'd better stop before we run out.
-
He ran out of space and had to put his address on the other side of the paper.
-
You have to work faster. We're running out of time.
5
run out on (someone)
informal
:
to leave (someone you should stay with)
:
to abandon or desert (someone)
-
She ran out on her husband and children to be with a man old enough to be her father.
run over
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to go beyond a limit
-
The meeting ran over. [=the meeting was longer than it was expected or planned to be]
3
run over (someone or something)
or
run (someone or something) over
a
:
to knock down and drive over or go over (someone or something)
-
The dog was run over by a car.
-
The running back ran over two defenders.
b
:
to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly
-
Let's run the lines over together one more time.
-
Can you run over the instructions again?
run past
run through
[phrasal verb]
1
run through (something)
b
run through (something)
:
to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly
—
see also run-through
-
Let's run through our lines one more time.
-
He quickly ran through the dance routine.
c
:
to occur repeatedly in (something) or throughout (something)
-
The song has been running through my head all morning.
-
Thoughts and memories of home kept running through his mind.
-
A note of despair runs through the narrative.
2
run (something) through (something)
:
to enter (information) into (a computer) for processing
-
She ran his name through the police computer to see if he had any previous arrests.
-
He ran the data through.
3
run (someone) through
literary
:
to push a sword through (someone)
-
He ran him through with his sword.
run up
[phrasal verb]
1
run up (something)
or
run (something) up
a
:
to raise (a flag) to the top of a flagpole
-
To celebrate our victory, we ran up our flag.
b
:
to achieve (a large score or lead)
-
Our team ran up a big lead in the first quarter.
-
(US) She angrily accused the other coach of deliberately running up the score. [=continuing to try to score more points even though they are not needed to win a game]
c
:
to increase the amount of (something)
-
These extras will run the bill up another $100.
d
:
to get (a large bill, debt, etc.) by buying many things without making payments
-
She ran up a large phone bill.
-
He ran up a lot of debt on his credit cards.
2
run up against (something)
:
to experience (something difficult)
:
encounter
-
She has run up against a lot of opposition.
-
He has run up against a bug in his computer program.
run with
[phrasal verb]
run with (something)
informal
:
to use (something) in a very energetic, enthusiastic, and effective way
-
He took the idea and ran with it.
run your mouth
informal
:
to talk too much and in a foolish way
-
He's always running his mouth about what a great athlete he is.
walk before you (can) run
2
run
/ˈrʌn/
noun
plural
runs
2
run
/ˈrʌn/
noun
plural
runs
Britannica Dictionary definition of RUN
1
[count]
:
an act of running
—
see also hit-and-run
-
He goes for a six-mile run every evening.
-
She took the dogs out for a run.
-
When they realized they might miss the train, they broke into a run. [=started running]
-
The robbers heard the police sirens and made a run for it. [=ran away to avoid being captured]
-
The dog was coming toward us at a run. [=the dog was running toward us]
2
[count]
a
:
a continuous series of similar things
— often + of
-
We had a long run of cloudy days.
-
a run of good/bad luck
-
a long run of wins/losses
b
:
a continuous series of performances or showings
-
The play had a run of six months on Broadway. = The play had a six-month run on Broadway.
3
[count]
:
the amount of a product that is produced at one time
— often + of
-
The book had a print run of 10,000 copies. [=10,000 copies of the book were printed at one time]
4
[count]
US
:
an attempt to win or do something
-
The team is making a run at the championship. [=the team is playing well and has a chance to win the championship]
-
She made an unsuccessful run for a seat in the Senate. [=she tried to be elected to a seat in the Senate, but she lost the election]
-
(informal) “I can't solve this math problem.” “Let me take a run at it.” [=let me try it]
5
[singular]
:
the usual or normal kind of person or thing
-
She's not like the average/normal/general/usual run of students. [=she's not like most students]
-
The place is different from the usual run of restaurants.
6
[count]
a
:
a score made in baseball when a player reaches home plate after going around the bases
—
see also home run
-
The home team took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth (inning).
-
a three-run lead
b
:
a score made in cricket
7
[count]
American football
:
a play in which a player tries to move the ball forward by running with it
-
He scored on a 25-yard run.
8
a
[count]
:
a regular journey that is made by a bus, train, etc.
-
The bus makes four runs daily.
-
a delivery run
-
(Brit) the school run [=a regular trip in which parents take their children to or from school each day]
-
The planes were sent out on a bomb/bombing run.
b
[singular]
:
a short trip in a vehicle
-
I have to make a quick run to the store.
9
[count]
:
a track that slopes down and that is used for skiing, sledding, etc.
-
a ski run [=slope]
-
a bobsled run
10
11
[count]
:
an enclosed area for animals where they feed and exercise
12
[count]
US
:
a long hole in a stocking
-
She had a run in her stocking/nylons.
— called also
(British)
ladder
13
[count]
music
:
a series of notes that are sung or played quickly up or down a scale
14
[count]
:
a situation in which many people want to have, get, or do something at the same time
— usually singular
— usually + on
-
There's been a big run on tickets for the game. [=a lot of people have been trying to get tickets for the game]
-
There was a run on the bank. [=a lot of people were taking their money out of the bank because they were afraid that the bank would fail]
15
[count]
:
the general way in which something is moving or changing
-
Investors are anxiously watching the run of the stock market. [=are watching to see if the stock market is going up or down]
16
17
[count]
technical
:
an occurrence in which a large number of fish (such as salmon) swim up a river to return to the place where they were hatched and produce young
a run for your money
◊ Someone who gives you a (good) run for your money in a game or contest makes it difficult for you to win by trying hard and playing or performing well.
-
Though they lost, they gave last year's champions a run for their money.
on the run
1
a
:
running away from someone in order to avoid being captured
-
an escaped convict on the run
-
He is on the run from the cops.
b
:
running away because you are about to be defeated
-
The army had the enemy on the run.
2
:
while going somewhere or while doing something else
-
We ate lunch on the run.
3
informal
:
continuously busy
-
He's always on the run.
the run of
:
the freedom to go anywhere or do anything you want in (a place)
-
With his parents gone, he had the run of the house.
