run

present singular third person runs · participle present running · past ran · colloquial nonstandard participle past ran · first person past singular ran · archaic present second person singular runnest · past second person singular ran · archaic past second person singular ranst · archaic past second person singular rannest · present singular third person runs · archaic present singular third person runneth · past singular third person ran · past plural ran · past subjunctive ran · participle present running · alternative dialectal rin

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

      Run, and you might still catch the train!

      1 more example

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

      1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 122

   2. intransitiveTo go at a fast pace; to move quickly.

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

      2 more examples

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

      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

      1965, Ed Cobb, “Tainted Love”, in Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, performed by Soft Cell, published 1981

   3. transitiveTo cover (a course or a distance) by running.

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

   4. transitiveTo complete a running course or event in (a given time).

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

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

      I felt her fingers running over my cheek.

      2 more examples

      The shuttle runs back and forth on these rollers.

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

   6. transitiveTo cause to move quickly or lightly.

      Run a flag up (the pole/mast)

      4 more examples

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

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

      Run your fingers through my hair.

      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.

      1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC

   7. intransitivetransitiveTo compete in a race.

      I'm not ready to run a marathon.

      2 more examples

      The horse will run in the Preakness next year.

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

   8. transitiveTo transport (someone or something), notionally at a brisk pace.

      Could you run me over to the store?

      1 more example

      Please run this report upstairs to director's office.

   9. intransitivetransitiveOf a means of transportation: to travel (a route).

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

      2 more examples

      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, […]

      1997, Karl-Heinz Reger, Nelles Verlag Staff, Malaysia - Singapore - Brunei, Hunter Publishing, Inc, →ISBN, page 91

      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.

      2013 April 15, Mary Ann Sternberg, Along the River Road: Past and Present on Louisiana's Historic Byway, LSU Press, →ISBN, page 62

   10. transitiveTo cause (a vehicle) to travel a route.

       1 more example

       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.

       2024 11, David Peter Alan, “NJ Transit Runs Special Trains to “Railroad Museum [for a day]””, in Lackawanna Coalition Railgram

   11. transitiveTo transit (a length of a river), as in whitewater rafting.

       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[…]

       1979, United States. Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Region, Piedra River: Final Environmental Impact Statement & Wild & Scenic River Study, page 74

   12. intransitiveOf fish, to migrate for spawning.
   13. intransitivetransitiveAmerican footballTo carry (a football) down the field, as opposed to passing or kicking.

       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.

       2019 December 29, Chad Finn, “24 thoughts on the Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins”, in Boston Globe

   14. intransitiveTo flee from a danger or towards help.

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

       3 more examples

       Whenever things get tough, she cuts and runs.

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

       "Your wakeup sequence might have revealed your location. RUN."

       2018 October 7, Howard Tayler, Schlock Mercenary, archived from the original on 10 Sep 2026

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

       The car in front just ran a red light.

       1 more example

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

   16. colloquialtransitiveartsTo juggle a pattern continuously, as opposed to starting and stopping quickly.
2. To flow.
   1. intransitiveOf a liquid or electric current, to flow.

      The current runs to the toaster.

      3 more examples

      The river runs through the forest into the North Sea.

      There's blood running down your leg.

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

   2. figurativelyintransitiveTo move or spread quickly.

      The flu is running through my daughter's kindergarten.

      1 more example

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

   3. intransitiveOf an object, to have a liquid flowing from it.

      Your nose is running.

      1 more example

      Why is the hose still running?

   4. transitiveTo make a liquid or electric current flow from or into an object.

      Run the water out into the pool.

      1 more example

      They ran the electricity back behind the wall.

   5. intransitiveTo become liquid; to melt.

      As Wax dissolves, as Ice begins to run,

      1717 [a. 18 CE], Ovid, translated by Joseph Addison, Ovid's Metamorphoses in fifteen books. Translated by the most eminent hands. Adorn'd with sculptures, Book the Third, The Story of Narcissus, page 92

      1 more example

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

      1729, John Woodward, An Attempt Towards a Natural History of the Fossils of England, Tome I, page 223

   6. intransitiveTo leak or spread in an undesirable fashion; to bleed (especially used of dye or paint).

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

   7. To fuse; to shape; to mould; to cast.

      to run bullets

      1 more example

      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.

      1718, Henry Felton, A Dissertation on Reading the Classics, and Forming a Just Style, page 6

3. nauticalTo sail before the wind, in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauled.
4. transitiveTo control or manage; to be in charge of.

   She runs the fundraising.

   5 more examples

   My uncle ran a corner store for forty years.

   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.

   1972 December 29, Richard Schickel, “Masterpieces underrated and overlooked”, in Life, volume 73, number 25, page 22

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

   2013 May 11, “What a waste”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8835, page 12

5. intransitiveTo be a candidate in an election.

   I have decided to run for governor of California.

   1 more example

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

6. To make participate in certain kinds of competitions.
   1. transitiveTo make enter a race.

      He ran his best horse in the Derby.

      1 more example

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

   2. transitiveTo make stand in an election.

      The Green Party is running twenty candidates in this election.

7. To exert continuous activity; to proceed.

   to run through life; to run in a circle

8. intransitiveTo be presented in the media.

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

   2 more examples

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

   Her picture ran on the front page of the newspaper.

9. transitiveTo print or broadcast in the media.

   run a story; run an ad

10. transitiveTo smuggle (illegal goods).

    They are running guns to the rebels.

    1 more example

    [...]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

    1728, Jonathan Swift, “An answer to a paper, called A memorial of the poor inhabitants, tradesmen, and labourers of the kingdom of Ireland”, in The Works of Dr. Jonathan Swift, published 1757, page 175

11. transitiveagricultureTo sort through a large volume of produce in quality control.

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

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

       The leash runs along a wire.

       3 more examples

       The border runs for 3000 miles.

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

       It ran in quality from excellent to substandard.

    2. intransitiveTo extend in time, to last, to continue (usually with a measure phrase).

       The meeting ran late.

       4 more examples

       The sale will run for ten days.

       The contract runs through 2008.

       The book runs 655 pages.

       The speech runs as follows: …

    3. transitiveTo make (something) extend in space.

       I need to run this wire along the wall.

    4. intransitiveOf a machine, including computer programs, to be operating or working normally.

       My car stopped running.

       2 more examples

       That computer runs twenty-four hours a day.

       The buses don't run on Sundays.

    5. transitiveTo make a machine operate.

       Don't run the engine so fast.

       1 more example

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

13. transitiveTo execute or carry out a plan, procedure, or program.

    I will run the sample.

    4 more 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.

    Don't run that software unless you have permission.

    My computer is too old to run the new OS.

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

    to run from one subject to another

    1 more example

    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,

    1697, Joseph Addison, “An essay on the Georgics”, in The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Aeneis, by John Dryden

15. copulativeTo become different in a way mentioned (usually to become worse).

    They frequently overspent and soon ran into debt.

    4 more examples

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

    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?

    1712, Joseph Addison, Cato, a Tragedy, act IV, scene i

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

    1968, Paul Simon, “The Boxer”

16. transitiveTo cost an amount of money.

    Laptops run about a thousand dollars apiece.

    1 more example

    Buying a new laptop will run you a thousand dollars.

17. intransitiveOf stitches or stitched clothing, to unravel.

    My stocking is running.

18. transitiveTo cause stitched clothing to unravel.

    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!"

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

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

    1692, Robert South, “Discourse I. The creation of man in God’s image”, in Discourses on Various Subjects and Occasions, published 1827, page 1

    1 more example

    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.

    1695, Jeremy Collier, “A Thought”, in Miscellanies upon Moral Subjects by Jeremy Collier, page 88

20. To cause to enter; to thrust.

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

    3 more examples

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

    1814, Sir Walter Scott, Waverley

    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

    1844, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

    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;[…].

    1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 4, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins, →ISBN

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

    They ran the ship aground.

    1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 27:41

    2 more examples

    [...]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;

    1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation

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

    1706, John Locke, Of the Conduct of the Understanding, Section 24. Partiality

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

    to run a line

23. transitiveTo encounter or incur (a danger or risk).

    to run the risk of losing one's life

    1 more example

    He runneth two dangers.

    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Friendship”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

24. obsoletetransitiveTo put at hazard; to venture; to risk.

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

    1702–1704, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, (please specify |book=I to XVI), in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the [Sheldonian] Theater

25. obsoletetransitiveTo tease with sarcasms and ridicule.
26. 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.
27. To control or have precedence in a card game.

    Every three or four hands he would run the table.

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

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

    1722 [1647], Robert Sanderson, translated by Thomas Lewis, A Preservative Against Schism and Rebellion, in the Most Trying Times, volume 1, translation of De juramenti promissorii obligatione, page 355

    1 more example

    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.”

    1921, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC

29. archaicTo be popularly known; to be generally received.

    Neither was he ignorant what report ran of himselfe.

    1603, Richard Knolles, The Generall Historie of the Turkes, […], London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC

    1 more example

    [...]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)

    c. 1685, William Temple, Upon the Gardens of Epicurus, published 1908, page 27

30. To have growth or development.

    Boys and girls run up rapidly.

    1 more example

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

    1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC

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

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

    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Nature in Men”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC

    1 more example

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

    1708, Jonathan Swift, “The Sentiments of a Church-of-England Man with respect to Religion and Government”, in The Works of Dr. Jonathan Swift, published 1757, page 235

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

    Certain covenants run with the land.

    1 more example

    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.

    c. 1665, Josiah Child, Discourse on Trade

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

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

    1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter 8, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume I, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

34. golfTo strike (the ball) in such a way as to cause it to run along the ground, as when approaching a hole.
35. rarevideo gamesTo speedrun.
36. especiallyball gamesTo eject from a game or match.

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

37. To press (a bank, etc.) with immediate demands for payment.
38. slangball gamesTo play basketball (usually pickup).

    "You wanna run?"

    1996, Paul Beatty, The White Boy Shuffle

    1 more example

    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

    2002 August 24, Linguist List Listserv

plural runs · alternative dialectal rin · alternative dialectal ren

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

   I just got back from my morning run.

   1 more example

   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.

   2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport

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

   I need to make a run to the store.

   2 more examples

   […] 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 […]

   1759, N. Tindal, The Continuation of Mr Rapin's History of England, volume 21 (continuation volume 9), page 92

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

   1987 April 25, Kim Westheimer, “A Black Gay Fireman's Story”, in Gay Community News, page 1

3. A pleasure trip.

   Let's go for a run in the car.

   1 more example

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

   1842 December – 1844 July, Charles Dickens, chapter 30, in The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1844, →OCLC

4. Flight, instance or period of fleeing.

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

   2006, Tsirk Susej, The Demonic Bible, →ISBN, page 41

5. Migration of fish.
6. collectiveA group of fish that migrate, or ascend a river for the purpose of spawning.
7. A literal or figurative path or course for movement relating to:
   1. A (regular) trip or route.

      The bus on the Cherry Street run is always crowded.

      1 more example

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

      1977, Star Wars (film)

   2. The route taken while running or skiing.

      Which run did you do today?

   3. bobsleddinghobbiesA single trip down a hill, as in skiing and bobsledding.
   4. The distance sailed by a ship.

      a good run; a run of fifty miles

   5. A voyage.

      a run to China

   6. A trial.

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

   7. computingThe execution of a program or model

      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.

   8. video gamesA playthrough, or attempted playthrough; a session of play.

      That NPC bugged out and killed my run.

      1 more example

      This was my first successful run without losing any health.

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

   He can have the run of the house.

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

   He set up a rabbit run.

10. AustraliaNew ZealandA rural landholding for farming, usually for running sheep, and operated by a runholder.
11. State of being current; currency; popularity.

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

    1715 June 4 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 45. Tuesday, May 25. [1715.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC

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

       I’m having a run of bad luck.

       4 more examples

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

       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.

       1796, Edmund Burke, “Letter I. On the Overtures of Peace.”, in Two Letters Addressed to a Member of the Present Parliament on the Proposals for Peace with the Regicide Directory of France, London: […] F[rancis] and C[harles] Rivington, […], published 20 October 1796, →OCLC, page 23

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

       2011 June 28, Piers Newbery, “Wimbledon 2011: Sabine Lisicki beats Marion Bartoli”, in BBC Sport

    2. A series of tries in a game that were successful.

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

    3. A production quantity (such as in a factory).

       Yesterday we did a run of 12,000 units.

       1 more example

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

    4. The period of showing of a play, film, TV series, etc.

       It is the last week of our French cinema run.

       2 more examples

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

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

       1856 February, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Oliver Goldsmith”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC

    5. slangA period of extended (usually daily) drug use.

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

       2010, Robert DuPont, The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction, Hazelden Publishing, →ISBN, page 158

       4 more examples

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

       1964, The Velvet Underground, Heroin

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

       1975, Lloyd Y. Young, Mary Anne Koda-Kimble, Brian S. Katcher, Applied Therapeutics for Clinical Pharmacists

       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.

       2001, Robin J. Harman, Handbook of Pharmacy Health Education, Pharmaceutical Press, →ISBN, page 172

    6. card gamesA sequence of cards in a suit in a card game.
    7. entertainmentA rapid passage in music, especially along a scale.
13. A flow of liquid; a leak.

    a run of must in wine-making

    2 more examples

    The constant run of water from the faucet annoys me.

    the first run of sap in a maple orchard

14. PennsylvaniaVirginiaWestchiefly eastern North Midland US; especially Ohio; chiefly eastern North Midland US; especially OhioA small creek or part thereof. (Compare Southern US branch and New York and New England brook.)

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

15. A quick pace, faster than a walk.

    He broke into a run.

    1. A fast gallop.
16. bankingA sudden series of demands on a bank or other financial institution, especially characterised by great withdrawals.

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

17. Any sudden large demand for something.

    There was a run on Christmas presents.

18. Various horizontal dimensions or surfaces
    1. The top of a step on a staircase, also called a tread, as opposed to the rise.
    2. The horizontal length of a set of stairs
    3. businessHorizontal dimension of a slope.
19. A standard or unexceptional group or category.

    He stood out from the usual run of applicants.

20. In sports:
    1. ball gamesA stretch when one team heavily outscores the other.

       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.

       2025 April 7, NCAA

    2. slangball gamesA basketball game (usually pickup).

       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.

       2024 April 10, Reddit Juneau

       1 more example

       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

       2022 September 1, Reddit Burlington

    3. ball gamesA score when a runner touches all bases legally; the act of a runner scoring.
    4. ball gamesThe act of passing from one wicket to another; the point scored for this.
    5. American footballA running play.

       … one of the greatest runs of all time.

       1 more example

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

       2003, Jack Seibold, Spartan Sports Encyclopedia, page 592

    6. golfThe movement communicated to a golf ball by running it.
    7. golfThe distance a ball travels after touching the ground from a stroke.
21. The distance drilled with a bit, in oil drilling.

    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.

    1832, Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court, page 21

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

    I have a run in my stocking.

    1 more example

    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

    1975, Joni Mitchell, “The Boho Dance”, in The Hissing of Summer Lawns

23. nauticalThe stern of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins to curve upward and inward.
24. businessThe 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.
25. A pair or set of millstones.
26. One’s gait while running; the way one runs.

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

alternative dialectal rin · alternative dialectal ren

1. not comparableIn a liquid state; melted or molten.

   Put some run butter on the vegetables.

   1 more example

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

   1921, L. W. Ferris, H. W. Redfield, W. R. North, “The Volatile Acids and the Volatile Oxidizable Substances of Cream and Experimental Butter”, in Journal of Dairy Science, volume 4, page 522

2. not comparableCast in a mould.

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

   1735, Thomas Frankz, A tour through France, Flanders, and Germany: in a letter to Robert Savil, page 18

   2 more examples

   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.

   1833, The Cabinet Cyclopaedia: A treatise on the progressive improvement and present state of the Manufactures in Metal, volume 2, Iron and Steel (printed in London), page 314

   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.

   c. 1839, (Richard of Raindale, The Plan of my House vindicated, quoted by) T. T. B. in the Dwelling of Richard of Raindale, King of the Moors, published in The Mirror, number 966, 7 September 1839, page 153

3. not comparableExhausted; depleted (especially with "down" or "out").
4. not comparableTravelled, migrated; having made a migration or a spawning run.

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

   1986, Arthur Oglesby, Fly fishing for salmon and sea trout, page 15

   2 more examples

   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.

   1889, Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell, Fishing: Salmon and Trout, fifth edition, page 185

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

   2005, Rod Sutterby, Malcolm Greenhalgh, Atlantic Salmon: An Illustrated Natural History, page 86

5. not comparableSmuggled.

   run brandy

alternative dialectal rin · alternative dialectal ren

1. participlepastpast participle of rin