run — English Dictionary

run
Word-form referencesrin
Pronunciations (4)
  • /ɹʌn/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ɹʊn/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Ireland
    • Northern-England
  • /ɾʌn/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Scotland
    • Wales
  • ɹʌn

Verb

  1. To move swiftly. To move forward quickly upon two feet by alternately making a short jump off either foot.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    I run in the park.

    Run, and you might still catch the train!

    Through the open front door ran Jessamy, down the steps to where Kitto was sitting at the bottom with the pram beside him.

  2. To move swiftly. To go at a fast pace; to move quickly.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    I have been running all over the building looking for him.

    Sorry, I've got to run; my house is on fire!

    More examples (1)

    Once I ran to you (I ran) / Now I run from you / This tainted love you've given / I give you all a boy could give you

  3. To move swiftly. To cover (a course or a distance) by running.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    I can run a mile, but I can't run the cross-country course.

  4. To move swiftly. To complete a running course or event in (a given time).

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    I was hoping to make the team, but I didn't run the qualifying time.

  5. To move swiftly. To move briskly or smoothly with a motion of sliding, rolling, sweeping etc.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The shuttle runs back and forth on these rollers.

    As its name suggests, the monorail runs on a single rail.

    More examples (1)

    I felt her fingers running over my cheek.

  6. To move swiftly. To cause to move quickly or lightly.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Every day I run my dog across the field and back.

    I'll just run the vacuum cleaner over the carpet.

    More examples (3)

    Run your fingers through my hair.

    Run a flag up (the pole/mast)

    Challenger and I ran Summerlee along, one at each of his elbows, while Lord John covered our retreat, firing again and again as savage heads snarled at us out of the bushes.

  7. To move swiftly. To compete in a race.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The horse will run in the Preakness next year.

    I'm not ready to run a marathon.

    More examples (1)

    The car could not be repaired in time for the race and did not run.

  8. To move swiftly. To transport (someone or something), notionally at a brisk pace.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Could you run me over to the store?

    Please run this report upstairs to director's office.

  9. To move swiftly. Of a means of transportation: to travel (a route).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The bus (train, plane, ferry boat, etc) runs between Newport and Riverside.

    Small planes run between Alor and Langkawi. BUS: Express busses leave the bus terminal on the corner of Jl. Langgar and Jl. Stesyen for K. Kedah, […]

    More examples (1)

    The first steam ferry or tug, the Little Minnie, ran the river in the 1870s. When vehicles were to cross, a barge was affixed to the Minnie to carry them.

  10. To move swiftly. To cause (a vehicle) to travel a route.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    This year, NJ Transit allowed nonmotorists […] to reach the event by running special trains every 2 hours 4 round trips). The location was the old Lackawanna Railroad freight house, about a 10-minute walk from the Boonton Station, which normally has service only during peak-commuting hours on weekdays.

  11. To move swiftly. To transit (a length of a river), as in whitewater rafting.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    To put it frankly, if you people had to hire others to run the river and survey it for you, if, in short, you can't even run it yourself, why do think you can decide who is and who is not competent? River running, as has been[…]

  12. To move swiftly. Of fish, to migrate for spawning.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
  13. To move swiftly. To carry (a football) down the field, as opposed to passing or kicking.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    Then, on their second possession, Isaiah Ford ran for 11 yards after abandoning a flea flicker. [...] The Patriots ran the ball just 27 times despite averaging 5 yards per carry.

  14. To move swiftly. To flee from a danger or towards help.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    Whenever things get tough, she cuts and runs.

    When he's broke, he runs to me for money.

    More examples (1)

    When the alarm went off, the thief dropped the booty and ran.

  15. To move swiftly. To pass (without stopping), typically a stop signal, stop sign, or duty to yield the right of way.

    Usage
    • Figurative
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The car in front just ran a red light.

    If you have a collision with a vehicle oncoming from the right, after having run priority to the right, you are at fault.

  16. To move swiftly. To juggle a pattern continuously, as opposed to starting and stopping quickly.

    Usage
    • Colloquial
    • Transitive
  17. To flow. Of a liquid or electric current, to flow.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The river runs through the forest into the North Sea.

    There's blood running down your leg.

    More examples (2)

    The current runs to the toaster.

    My eyes were watering and now tears are running down my cheeks.

  18. To flow. To move or spread quickly.

    Usage
    • Figurative
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    There's a strange story running around the neighborhood that you had a miscarriage last year.

    The flu is running through my daughter's kindergarten.

  19. To flow. Of an object, to have a liquid flowing from it.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    Your nose is running.

    Why is the hose still running?

  20. To flow. To make a liquid or electric current flow from or into an object.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Run the water out into the pool.

    They ran the electricity back behind the wall.

  21. To flow. To become liquid; to melt.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    As Wax dissolves, as Ice begins to run,

    The Sussex ores run pretty freely in the Fire for Iron-Ores; otherwise they would hardly be worth working.

  22. To flow. To leak or spread in an undesirable fashion; to bleed (especially used of dye or paint).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    During washing, the red from the rug ran onto the white sheet, staining it pink.

  23. To flow. To fuse; to shape; to mould; to cast.

    Examples

    to run bullets

    But, my Lord, the fairest Diamonds are rough till they are polished, and the purest Gold must be run and washed, and sifted in the Oar.

  24. To sail before the wind, in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauled.

    Usage
    • of a vessel
  25. To control or manage; to be in charge of.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    My uncle ran a corner store for forty years.

    She runs the fundraising.

    More examples (4)

    My parents think they run my life.

    He is running the candidate's expensive campaign.

    A friend of mine who runs an intellectual magazine was grousing about his movie critic, complaining that though the fellow had liked The Godfather (page 58), he had neglected to label it clearly as a masterpiece.

    India is run by gerontocrats and epigones: grey hairs and groomed heirs.

  26. To be a candidate in an election.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    I have decided to run for governor of California.

    We're trying to find somebody to run against him next year.

  27. To make participate in certain kinds of competitions. To make enter a race.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    He ran his best horse in the Derby.

    We're running two cars in today's rally.

  28. To make participate in certain kinds of competitions. To make stand in an election.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The Green Party is running twenty candidates in this election.

  29. To exert continuous activity; to proceed.

    Examples

    to run through life; to run in a circle

  30. To be presented in the media.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The story will run on the 6-o'clock news.

    The latest Robin Williams movie is running at the Silver City theatre.

    More examples (1)

    Her picture ran on the front page of the newspaper.

  31. To print or broadcast in the media.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    run a story; run an ad

  32. To smuggle (illegal goods).

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    They are running guns to the rebels.

    More examples (1)

    [...]whereas in the business of laying heavy impositions two and two never made more than one ; which happens by lessening the import, and the strong temptation of running such goods as paid high duties

  33. To sort through a large volume of produce in quality control.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Looks like we're gonna have to run the tomatoes again.

  34. To extend or persist, statically or dynamically, through space or time. To extend in space or through a range (often with a measure phrase).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The border runs for 3000 miles.

    The leash runs along a wire.

    More examples (2)

    The grain of the wood runs to the right on this table.

    It ran in quality from excellent to substandard.

  35. To extend or persist, statically or dynamically, through space or time. To extend in time, to last, to continue (usually with a measure phrase).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The sale will run for ten days.

    The contract runs through 2008.

    More examples (3)

    The meeting ran late.

    The book runs 655 pages.

    The speech runs as follows: …

  36. To extend or persist, statically or dynamically, through space or time. To make (something) extend in space.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    I need to run this wire along the wall.

  37. To extend or persist, statically or dynamically, through space or time. Of a machine, including computer programs, to be operating or working normally.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    My car stopped running.

    That computer runs twenty-four hours a day.

    More examples (1)

    The buses don't run on Sundays.

  38. To extend or persist, statically or dynamically, through space or time. To make a machine operate.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    It's full. You can run the dishwasher now.

    Don't run the engine so fast.

  39. To execute or carry out a plan, procedure, or program.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    They ran twenty blood tests on me and they still don't know what's wrong.

    Our coach had us running plays for the whole practice.

    More examples (3)

    I will run the sample.

    Don't run that software unless you have permission.

    My computer is too old to run the new OS.

  40. To pass or go quickly in thought or conversation.

    Examples

    to run from one subject to another

    Virgil was so well acquainted with this Secret, that to set off his first Georgic, he has run into a set of Precepts, which are almost foreign to his Subject,

  41. To become different in a way mentioned (usually to become worse).

    Usage
    • copulative
    Examples

    Our food supplies are running low because money is running short.

    They frequently overspent and soon ran into debt.

    More examples (3)

    Tap water always runs freezing cold before running dry.

    Have I not cause to rave, and beat my breast, / To rend my heart with grief and run distracted?

    I was no more than a boy / In the company of strangers / In the quiet of the railway station / Running scared.

  42. To cost an amount of money.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Buying a new laptop will run you a thousand dollars.

    Laptops run about a thousand dollars apiece.

  43. Of stitches or stitched clothing, to unravel.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    My stocking is running.

  44. To cause stitched clothing to unravel.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure He took off the nylons & had runned one. He said "now I really look like a street whore!"

  45. To pursue in thought; to carry in contemplation.

    Examples

    To run the world back to its first original and infancy, and, as it were, to view nature in its cradle,

    Methinks, if it might be, I would gladly understand the Formation of a Soul, run it up to its Punctum Saliens, and see it beat the first conscious Pulse.

  46. To cause to enter; to thrust.

    Examples

    to run a sword into or through the body; to run a nail into one's foot

    “You run your head into the lion's mouth,” answered Mac-Ivor.

    More examples (2)

    With that he took off his great-coat, and having run his fingers through his hair, thrust one hand gently in the bosom of his waistcoat

    There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs;[…].

  47. To drive or force; to cause, or permit, to be driven.

    Examples

    They ran the ship aground.

    More examples (1)

    [...]besides all this, a talkative person must needs be impertinent, and speak many idle words, and so render himself burdensome and odious to Company, and may perchance run himself upon great Inconveniences, by blabbing out his own or other’s Secrets;

    [...]and others, accustomed to retired speculations, run natural philosophy into metaphysical notions and the abstract generalities of logic ;

  48. To cause to be drawn; to mark out; to indicate; to determine.

    Examples

    to run a line

  49. To encounter or incur (a danger or risk).

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    to run the risk of losing one's life

    He runneth two dangers.

  50. To put at hazard; to venture; to risk.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    • Transitive
    Examples

    He would himself be in the Highlands to receive them, and run his fortune with them.

  51. To tease with sarcasms and ridicule.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    • Transitive
  52. To sew (a seam) by passing the needle through material in a continuous line, generally taking a series of stitches on the needle at the same time.

  53. To control or have precedence in a card game.

    Examples

    Every three or four hands he would run the table.

  54. To be in form thus, as a combination of words.

    Examples

    Which Sovereignty, with us, ſo undoubtedly reſideth in the Perſon of the King, that his ordinary Style runneth — Our Sovereign Lord the King: […]

    More examples (1)

    The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running: “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”

  55. To be popularly known; to be generally received.

    Usage
    • Archaic
    Examples

    [...]great captains, and even consular men, who first brought them over, took pride in giving them their own names (by which they run a great while in Rome)

    Neither was he ignorant what report ran of himselfe.

  56. To have growth or development.

    Examples

    Boys and girls run up rapidly.

    or the Richness of the Ground cause them [turnips] to run too much to Leaves

  57. To tend, as to an effect or consequence; to incline.

    Examples

    A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds.

    It hath been observed, that the temperate climates usually run into moderate governments, and the extremes into despotic power.

  58. To have a legal course; to be attached; to continue in force, effect, or operation; to follow; to go in company.

    Examples

    Certain covenants run with the land.

    Customs run only upon our goods imported or exported, and that but once for all; whereas interest runs as well upon our ships as goods, and must be yearly paid.

  59. To encounter or suffer (a particular, usually bad, fate or misfortune).

    Examples

    Don't let me run the fate of all who show indulgence to your sex […].

  60. To strike (the ball) in such a way as to cause it to run along the ground, as when approaching a hole.

  61. To speedrun.

    Usage
    • Rare
  62. To eject from a game or match.

    Usage
    • especially
    Examples

    Jackson got himself run in the top of the sixth for arguing a borderline strike three call.

  63. To press (a bank, etc.) with immediate demands for payment.

  64. To play basketball (usually pickup).

    Usage
    • Slang
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    you wanna run? -- 'do you want to play?'; said to someone not in the game but who is watching and ready to play, when a team needs another player to make five (usually) for a pick-up game

    "You wanna run?"

Noun

  1. Act or instance of running, of moving rapidly using the feet.

    Examples

    I just got back from my morning run.

    More examples (1)

    Krohn-Dehli took advantage of a lucky bounce of the ball after a battling run on the left flank by Simon Poulsen, dummied two defenders and shot low through goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's legs after 24 minutes.

  2. Act or instance of hurrying (to or from a place) (not necessarily on foot); dash or errand, trip.

    Examples

    I need to make a run to the store.

    More examples (1)

    […] and on the 18th of January this squadron put to sea. The first place of rendezvous was the boy of port St. Julian, upon the coast of Patagonia, and all accidents were provided against with admirable foresight. Their run to port St. Julian was dangerous […]

    Jackson said the white firefighters attempted to make him and other Black firefighters miss runs by not waking them up along with everyone else.

  3. A pleasure trip.

    Examples

    Let's go for a run in the car.

    And I think of giving her a run in London for a change.

  4. Flight, instance or period of fleeing.

    Examples

    During his run from the police, he claimed to have a metaphysical experience which can only be described as “having passed through an abyss.”

  5. Migration of fish.

  6. A group of fish that migrate, or ascend a river for the purpose of spawning.

    Usage
    • collective
  7. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: A (regular) trip or route.

    Examples

    The bus on the Cherry Street run is always crowded.

    You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.

  8. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: The route taken while running or skiing.

    Examples

    Which run did you do today?

  9. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: A single trip down a hill, as in skiing and bobsledding.

  10. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: The distance sailed by a ship.

    Examples

    a good run; a run of fifty miles

  11. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: A voyage.

    Examples

    a run to China

  12. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: A trial.

    Examples

    The data got lost, so I'll have to perform another run of the experiment.

  13. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: The execution of a program or model

    Examples
    More examples (1)

    This morning's run of the SHIPS statistical model gave Hurricane Priscilla a 74% chance of gaining at least 30 knots of intensity in 24 hours, reconfirmed by the HMON and GFS dynamical models.

  14. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to: A playthrough, or attempted playthrough; a session of play.

    Examples

    This was my first successful run without losing any health.

    That NPC bugged out and killed my run.

  15. Unrestricted use. Only used in have the run of.

    Examples

    He can have the run of the house.

  16. An enclosure for an animal; a track or path along which something can travel.

    Examples

    He set up a rabbit run.

  17. A rural landholding for farming, usually for running sheep, and operated by a runholder.

    Usage
    • Australia
    • New-Zealand
  18. State of being current; currency; popularity.

    Examples

    It is impossible for detached papers[...] to have a general run, or long continuance, if they are not diversified[...].

  19. Something continuous or sequential. A continuous period (of time) marked by a trend; a period marked by a continuing trend.

    Examples

    I’m having a run of bad luck.

    1782 Frances Burney Cecilia “ […] had had the preceding night an uncommon run of luck”.

    More examples (3)

    He went to Las Vegas and spent all his money over a three-day run.

    They who make their arrangements in the firſt run of miſadventure[…] put a ſeal on their calamities.

    German wildcard Sabine Lisicki conquered her nerves to defeat France's Marion Bartoli and take her amazing Wimbledon run into the semi-finals.

  20. Something continuous or sequential. A series of tries in a game that were successful.

    Examples

    If our team can keep up their strong defense, expect them to make a run in this tournament.

  21. Something continuous or sequential. A production quantity (such as in a factory).

    Examples

    Yesterday we did a run of 12,000 units.

    The book’s initial press run will be 5,000 copies.

  22. Something continuous or sequential. The period of showing of a play, film, TV series, etc.

    Examples

    The run of the show lasted two weeks, and we sold out every night.

    It is the last week of our French cinema run.

    More examples (1)

    A canting, mawkish play [...] had an immense run.

  23. Something continuous or sequential. A period of extended (usually daily) drug use.

    Usage
    • Slang
    Examples

    And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same / When I'm rushing on my run.

    Frank Fixwell, a 25 year-old male, has been on a heroin "run" (daily use) for the past two years.

    More examples (3)

    1977, Richard P. Rettig, Manual J. Torres, Gerald R. Garrett, Manny: a criminal-addict's story, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) →ISBN I was hooked on dope, and hooked bad, during this whole period, but I was also hooked behind robbery. When you're on a heroin run, you stay loaded so long as you can score.

    This can develop quite quickly (over a matter of hours) during a cocaine run or when cocaine use becomes a daily habit.

    DA depletion leads to the crash that characteristically ends a cocaine run.

  24. Something continuous or sequential. A sequence of cards in a suit in a card game.

  25. Something continuous or sequential. A rapid passage in music, especially along a scale.

  26. A flow of liquid; a leak.

    Examples

    The constant run of water from the faucet annoys me.

    a run of must in wine-making

    More examples (1)

    the first run of sap in a maple orchard

  27. A small creek or part thereof. (Compare Southern US branch and New York and New England brook.)

    Usage
    • Pennsylvania
    • Virginia
    • West
    Examples

    The military campaign near that creek was known as "The battle of Bull Run".

  28. A quick pace, faster than a walk.

    Examples

    He broke into a run.

  29. A quick pace, faster than a walk. A fast gallop.

    Usage
    • of horses
  30. A sudden series of demands on a bank or other financial institution, especially characterised by great withdrawals.

    Examples

    Financial insecurity led to a run on the banks, as customers feared for the security of their savings.

  31. Any sudden large demand for something.

    Examples

    There was a run on Christmas presents.

  32. Various horizontal dimensions or surfaces The top of a step on a staircase, also called a tread, as opposed to the rise.

  33. Various horizontal dimensions or surfaces The horizontal length of a set of stairs

  34. Various horizontal dimensions or surfaces Horizontal dimension of a slope.

  35. A standard or unexceptional group or category.

    Examples

    He stood out from the usual run of applicants.

  36. In sports: A stretch when one team heavily outscores the other.

    Examples

    After trailing by as much as 12 points in the second half, Florida went on a 8-0 run to get back in the game.

  37. In sports: A basketball game (usually pickup).

    Usage
    • Slang
    Examples

    I’m coming up next month to work for the summer and wanna know where I can get some run or any intel on indoor and outdoor courts.

    I used to see homies getting some run in regularly at Pomeroy but it died down this summer for some reason... dunno why.. them runs was fireeeeeee

  38. In sports: A score when a runner touches all bases legally; the act of a runner scoring.

  39. In sports: The act of passing from one wicket to another; the point scored for this.

  40. In sports: A running play.

    Examples

    … one of the greatest runs of all time.

    Aaron Roberts added an insurance touchdown on a one-yard run.

  41. In sports: The movement communicated to a golf ball by running it.

  42. In sports: The distance a ball travels after touching the ground from a stroke.

  43. The distance drilled with a bit, in oil drilling.

    Examples
    More examples (1)

    Well, when you compare the cone type with the cross roller bit, you get a longer run, there is less tendency of the bit to go flat while running in various formations. It cleans itself better.

  44. A line of knit stitches that have unravelled, particularly in a nylon stocking.

    Examples

    I have a run in my stocking.

    A camera pans the cocktail hour / Behind a blind of potted palms / And finds a lady in a Paris dress / With runs in her nylons

  45. The stern of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins to curve upward and inward.

  46. The horizontal distance to which a drift may be carried, either by licence of the proprietor of a mine or by the nature of the formation; also, the direction which a vein of ore or other substance takes.

  47. A pair or set of millstones.

  48. One’s gait while running; the way one runs.

    Examples

    I think they only have a weird run because their leg hurts.

Adjective

  1. In a liquid state; melted or molten.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    Examples

    Put some run butter on the vegetables.

    Samples of the regular run butter were sealed in 1 pound tins and sent to Washington, where the butter was scored and examined.

  2. Cast in a mould.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    Examples

    [...] the Sides are generally made of Holland's Tiles, or Plates of run Iron, ornamented variously as Fancy dictates, [...]

    Vast quantities are cast in sand moulds, with that kind of run steel which is so largely used in the production of common table-knives and forks.

    More examples (1)

    For making tea I have a kettle, Besides a pan made of run metal; An old arm-chair, in which I sit well — The back is round.

  3. Exhausted; depleted (especially with "down" or "out").

    Usage
    • not-comparable
  4. Travelled, migrated; having made a migration or a spawning run.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    • of a zoology
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    The temperature of the water is consequently much higher than in either England or Scotland, and many newly run salmon will be found in early spring in the upper waters of Irish rivers where obstructions exist.

    It may be very much a metallic appearance as opposed to the silver freshness of a recently run salmon.

    Thus, on almost any day of the year, a fresh-run salmon may be caught legally somewhere in the British Isles.

  5. Smuggled.

    Usage
    • not-comparable
    Examples

    run brandy

Noun

  1. a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th

    their first tally came in the 3rd inning

  2. the act of testing something

    Synonyms
    Examples

    in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately

    he called each flip of the coin a new trial

  3. a race run on foot

    Broader terms
    Examples

    she broke the record for the half-mile run

  4. an unbroken series of events

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    had a streak of bad luck

    Nicklaus had a run of birdies

  5. (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the defensive line braced to stop the run

    the coach put great emphasis on running

  6. a regular trip

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the ship made its run in record time

  7. the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    he broke into a run

    his daily run keeps him fit

  8. the continuous period of time during which something (a machine or a factory) operates or continues in operation

    Examples

    the assembly line was on a 12-hour run

  9. unrestricted freedom to use

    Broader terms
    Examples

    he has the run of the house

  10. the production achieved during a continuous period of operation (of a machine or factory etc.)

    Broader terms
    Examples

    a daily run of 100,000 gallons of paint

  11. a small stream

    Broader terms
  12. a race between candidates for elective office

    Broader terms
    Examples

    I managed his campaign for governor

    he is raising money for a Senate run

  13. a row of unravelled stitches

    Synonyms
    Examples

    she got a run in her stocking

  14. the pouring forth of a fluid

    Broader terms
  15. an unbroken chronological sequence

    Examples

    the play had a long run on Broadway

    the team enjoyed a brief run of victories

  16. a short trip

    Broader terms
    Examples

    take a run into town

Verb

  1. move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

    Examples

    Don't run — you'll be out of breath

    The children ran to the store

  2. flee; take to one's heels; cut and run

    Examples

    If you see this man, run!

    The burglars escaped before the police showed up

  3. stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Service runs all the way to Cranbury

    His knowledge doesn't go very far

    More examples (2)

    My memory extends back to my fourth year of life

    The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets

  4. direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    She is running a relief operation in the Sudan

  5. have a particular form

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    the story or argument runs as follows

    as the saying goes …

  6. move along, of liquids

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Water flowed into the cave

    the Missouri feeds into the Mississippi

  7. perform as expected when applied

    Broader terms
    Examples

    The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in

    Does this old car still run well?

    More examples (1)

    This old radio doesn't work anymore

  8. change or be different within limits

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion

    Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent

    More examples (2)

    The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals

    My students range from very bright to dull

  9. run, stand, or compete for an office or a position

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    Who's running for treasurer this year?

  10. cause to emit recorded audio or video

    Synonyms
    Examples

    They ran the tapes over and over again

    I'll play you my favorite record

    More examples (1)

    He never tires of playing that video

  11. move about freely and without restraint, or act as if running around in an uncontrolled way

    Examples

    who are these people running around in the building?

    She runs around telling everyone of her troubles

    More examples (1)

    let the dogs run free

  12. have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

    Broader terms
    Examples

    She tends to be nervous before her lectures

    These dresses run small

    More examples (1)

    He inclined to corpulence

  13. be operating, running or functioning

    Antonyms
    Examples

    The car is still running — turn it off!

  14. change from one state to another

    Broader terms
    Examples

    run amok

    run rogue

    More examples (1)

    run riot

  15. cause to perform

    Broader terms
    Examples

    run a subject

    run a process

  16. be affected by; be subjected to

    Broader terms
    Examples

    run a temperature

    run a risk

  17. continue to exist

    Broader terms
    Examples

    These stories die hard

    The legend of Elvis endures

  18. occur persistently

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Musical talent runs in the family

  19. carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine

    Synonyms
    Examples

    Run the dishwasher

    run a new program on the Mac

    More examples (1)

    the computer executed the instruction

  20. include as the content; broadcast or publicize

    Synonyms
    Examples

    We ran the ad three times

    This paper carries a restaurant review

    More examples (1)

    All major networks carried the press conference

  21. conduct to completion

    Examples

    run an errand

  22. pass over, across, or through

    Examples

    He ran his eyes over her body

    She ran her fingers along the carved figurine

    More examples (1)

    He drew her hair through his fingers

  23. cause something to pass or lead somewhere

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    Run the wire behind the cabinet

  24. make without a miss

  25. deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
  26. cause an animal to move fast

    Broader terms
    Examples

    run the dogs

  27. be diffused

    Synonyms
    Examples

    These dyes and colors are guaranteed not to run

  28. sail before the wind

    Broader terms
  29. cover by running; run a certain distance

    Broader terms
    Examples

    She ran 10 miles that day

  30. extend or continue for a certain period of time

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    The film runs 5 hours

  31. set animals loose to graze

  32. keep company

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    the heifers run with the bulls to produce offspring

  33. run with the ball; in such sports as football

  34. travel rapidly, by any (unspecified) means

    Examples

    Run to the store!

    She always runs to Italy, because she has a lover there

  35. travel a route regularly

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    Ships ply the waters near the coast

  36. pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Goering often hunted wild boars in Poland

    The dogs are running deer

    More examples (1)

    The Duke hunted in these woods

  37. compete in a race

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    he is running the Marathon this year

    let's race and see who gets there first

  38. progress by being changed

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    The speech has to go through several more drafts

    run through your presentation before the meeting

  39. reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating

    Examples

    melt butter

    melt down gold

    More examples (1)

    The wax melted in the sun

  40. come unraveled or undone as if by snagging

    Synonyms
    Examples

    Her nylons were running

  41. become undone

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    the sweater unraveled

Word forms
runsrunningranranranrunnestranranstrannestrunnethranranranrinrenruns

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