running — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Moving or advancing at a run.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

2. Moving or advancing at a run. Of a horse, having a running gait; not a trotter or pacer.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

3. Present, current.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   running month

4. Flowing; easy; cursive.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   running handwriting

5. Continuous; ongoing; keeping along step by step.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a running commentary, a running explanation, my running theory

   Thus a constant running fire was kept up, and no interval allowed for the enemy to stand to their guns in safety […]

   More examples (2)

   a running conquest

   What are art and science if not a running commentary on Nature?

6. Having a continuous design or pattern.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   running bond; running ornament

7. Consecutive (much more commonly expressed by an adverb; see below).

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   He won the title for three running years.

8. Extending by a slender climbing or trailing stem.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a running vine

9. Discharging pus.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a running sore

10. Discharging snot or mucus.

    Usage

    • not-comparable
    • of a nose

    Synonyms

    runny

    Examples

    a running nose

Adverb

1. Consecutively; in a row.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Mom's strawberry jam won the blue ribbon at the Holland County Fair three years running.

Noun

1. The action of the verb to run.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   His running of the business leaves something to be desired.

   More examples (1)

   The train operating company owning group warned in early December that it was unable to publish its results for the year to July 3 2021, following an investigation into the running of Southeastern, which was stripped of its franchise in October [...].

2. The activity of running as a form of exercise, as a sport, or for any other reason.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Running is good exercise.

3. That which runs or flows; the quantity of a liquid which flows in a certain time or during a certain operation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the first running of a still

4. The discharge from an ulcer or other sore.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. The act of running errands.

   Usage

   • Colloquial
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I'm gonna go out and do my running.

6. The dependence of measured value, typically a coupling constant, on the energy scale at which it is probed due to higher-order interaction terms and associated renormalization issues becoming relevant; metaphorically, the "running" of the measurement from its limiting macroscopic value.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Preposition

1. Approaching; about; roughly.

   Usage

   • Colloquial

Adjective

1. (of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

   Antonyms

   standing

   Examples

   as mountain stream with freely running water

   hovels without running water

2. continually repeated over a period of time

   Examples

   a running joke among us

3. of advancing the ball by running

   Antonyms

   passing

   Examples

   the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays

4. executed or initiated by running

   Antonyms

   standing

   Examples

   running plays worked better than pass plays

   took a running jump

   More examples (1)

   a running start

5. measured lengthwise

   Synonyms

   linear

   Examples

   cost of lumber per running foot

6. (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing

   Synonyms

   operativefunctionalworking

   Examples

   in running (or working) order

   a functional set of brakes

Noun

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

   Synonyms

   runrunning playrunning game

   Broader terms

   football play

   Examples

   the defensive line braced to stop the run

   the coach put great emphasis on running

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

   Synonyms

   run

   Broader terms

   locomotiontravel

   Examples

   he broke into a run

   his daily run keeps him fit

3. the state of being in operation

   Broader terms

   operation

   Examples

   a running engine

4. the act of administering or being in charge of something

   Broader terms

   administrationdisposal

   Examples

   he has responsibility for the running of two companies at the same time

5. the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track

   Synonyms

   track

   Broader terms

   track and field