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run

1 run /ˈrʌn/ verb
runs; ran /ˈræn/ ; run; running
1 run
/ˈrʌn/
verb
runs; ran /ˈræn/ ; run; running
Britannica Dictionary definition of RUN
[no object]
: to move with your legs at a speed that is faster than walking
often used figuratively
: to leave a place quickly by running
often + away
often + off
: to run as part of a sport, for exercise, or in a race
[no object]
[+ object]
American football : to carry and run with (the ball)
[+ object]
[no object]
baseball : to run from base to base
[no object]
[+ object]
[+ object] : to cause (an animal) to run
[no object] chiefly US : to be a candidate in an election for a particular office often + for often + against
[+ object]
: to direct the business or activities of (something)
: to do (a test or check) on someone or something often + on
[+ object] : to use and control (something)
[+ object] : to put (something) into operation
[no object] : to function or operate
often + on
usually followed by an adverb or preposition, [no object] : to go on a particular route or at particular times
[+ object] : to have (a bus, train, ferry, etc.) traveling on a route
[no object] : to make a quick trip to a place for something
[+ object] : to drive (someone) a short distance to a place or event
always followed by an adverb or preposition, [+ object] : to bring (something) quickly to someone who is at a particular place
[+ object] : to do (something that involves making a quick trip) : to do (an errand)
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[+ object] : to cause (a driver or vehicle) to move in a particular direction
[no object] of a driver or vehicle : to move in a particular direction see also run into (below), run over (below)
10 
always followed by an adverb or preposition
[+ object] : to cause (something) to pass through, over, along, or into something else
[no object] : to travel or spread in a fast or uncontrolled way
11 
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no object]
: to go or extend in a particular direction
sometimes used figuratively
used to describe the position of a road, path, etc.
12 
[+ object] : to cause (something, such as a wire or cable) to go or extend from one point to another
13 
[+ object] : to bring (something) from one country into another country illegally and secretly
14 
[no object] : to flow : to flow in a particular direction
[+ object] : to cause (something) to flow or to produce a flow of water
[+ object] : to prepare (a bath) by running a faucet
15 
[no object]
: to produce a flow of liquid
: to spread or flow into another area
: to have a color that spreads onto other pieces of clothing when clothes are washed together
16 
always followed by an adverb or preposition, [no object] : to continue or remain effective for a particular period of time
17 
[no object] : to be or to begin to be something specified
18 
[no object] : to include everything between specified limits : range
19 
[+ object] : to allow charges on (a bill) to add up before paying
20 
[+ object] : to have (an amount of money) as a price
[no object] : to have or reach a particular length, size, or amount
21 
[+ object] : to print or broadcast (something)
[no object] : to appear in print or on television
22 
[+ object] : to produce (a copy of a document, newspaper, etc.) using a printer or copying machine see also run off (below)
23 
[+ object] : to have (particular words) in writing or print
[no object] : to be expressed in words
24 
[+ object] : to drive past or through (a stop sign or red traffic light) illegally without stopping
25 
[no object] US, of stockings : to start to have a long hole that continues to get longer
26 
[+ object] chiefly British : to own and maintain (a vehicle)
◊ In addition to the phrases shown below, run occurs in many idioms that are shown at appropriate entries throughout the dictionary. For example, cut and run can be found at 1cut and run a tight ship can be found at 1ship.

run across

[phrasal verb]
run across (someone or something)
: to meet (someone) or find (something) by chance

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]
run after (someone or something) : to run toward (someone or something) in an attempt to catch that person or thing
run after (someone) informal + disapproving : to try to start a romantic relationship with (someone)

run along

[phrasal verb] informal + somewhat old-fashioned
: to go away : leave

run around

[phrasal verb] or chiefly British run about or run round
: to run in an area while playing
informal : to go from place to place in a busy or hurried way
run around/about/round with (someone) informal + disapproving : to spend a lot of time with (someone)

run away

[phrasal verb]
: to leave your home suddenly without permission and go somewhere else to live
see also runaway
: to avoid a person or situation that makes you feel uncomfortable
run away with (someone) disapproving : to leave a person or place in order to live with and have a sexual relationship with (someone)
run away with (something) : to leave a place with (something that does not belong to you)
run away with (something) informal
: to be the best or most popular performer in (a performance)
: to win (something) very easily
run away with (someone) : to make (someone) do something that is not sensible or reasonable
see also 1run 1b (above)

run by/past

[phrasal verb]
run (something) by/past (someone)
: to tell (something) to (someone) so that it can be considered, approved, etc.

run down

[phrasal verb]
run (someone or something) down or run down (someone or something) : to hit and knock down (a person or animal) with a vehicle
run (someone or something) down or run down (someone or something)
: to chase after and catch (a person or animal)
: to find (someone or something) after searching
run down or run down (something) or run (something) down
: to use up or cause (something) to use up all of its power
British : to become or cause (something, such as a business or activity) to become gradually smaller
run (someone or something) down or run down (someone or something) informal : to criticize (someone or something) in usually an unfair way
run down (something) : to say or repeat (a list of people or things) from the beginning to the end
see also rundown

run for it

informal
: to run to avoid being caught

run high

: to be or become very strong or intense

run in

[phrasal verb]
run (someone) in or run in (someone) informal + somewhat old-fashioned : to arrest (someone)
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

run into

[phrasal verb]
run into (someone or something) : to move into (someone or something) in a sudden or forceful way
run into (someone) : to meet (someone) by chance
run into (something) : to experience (something that is unpleasant or difficult) : encounter

run its course

◊ When something runs its course, it begins, continues for a time, and then ends.

run off

[phrasal verb]
informal
: to leave or abandon a person or place
see also 1run 1b (above)
run off with (someone or something) : to leave a place with (someone or something) : to run away with (someone or something)
run off (something) or run (something) off : to repeat or produce (something) quickly
see also 1run 22 (above)
run (someone or something) off or run off (someone or something) US : to force (a person or animal) off your land

run on

[phrasal verb]
: to talk about something for a long time
: to keep going without being stopped or interrupted for a long period of time

run out

[phrasal verb]
: to come to an end
: to become used up
run (someone) out or run (someone) out of (something) old-fashioned : to force (someone) to leave a place
run out (something) or run (something) out baseball, of a batter : to run hard to first base after hitting (a batted ball)
run out or run out of (something) : to use up the available supply of (something)
run out on (someone) informal : to leave (someone you should stay with) : to abandon or desert (someone)

run over

[phrasal verb]
: to go beyond a limit
: to flow over the top or edge of something : overflow
of a container : to have a liquid flow over its edge : overflow
run over (someone or something) or run (someone or something) over
: to knock down and drive over or go over (someone or something)
: to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly

run past

see run by (above)

run through

[phrasal verb]
run through (something)
: to spend or use up (something) quickly : squander
run through (something) : to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly
see also run-through
: to occur repeatedly in (something) or throughout (something)
run (something) through (something) : to enter (information) into (a computer) for processing
run (someone) through literary : to push a sword through (someone)

run up

[phrasal verb]
run up (something) or run (something) up
: to raise (a flag) to the top of a flagpole
: to achieve (a large score or lead)
: to increase the amount of (something)
: to get (a large bill, debt, etc.) by buying many things without making payments
run up against (something) : to experience (something difficult) : encounter

run with

[phrasal verb]
run with (something) informal
: to use (something) in a very energetic, enthusiastic, and effective way

run your mouth

informal
: to talk too much and in a foolish way

walk before you (can) run

see 1walk
2 run /ˈrʌn/ noun
plural runs
2 run
/ˈrʌn/
noun
plural runs
Britannica Dictionary definition of RUN
[count] : an act of running
see also hit-and-run
[count]
: a continuous series of similar things often + of
: a continuous series of performances or showings
[count] : the amount of a product that is produced at one time often + of
[count] US : an attempt to win or do something
[singular] : the usual or normal kind of person or thing
[count]
: a score made in baseball when a player reaches home plate after going around the bases
see also home run
: a score made in cricket
[count] American football : a play in which a player tries to move the ball forward by running with it
[count] : a regular journey that is made by a bus, train, etc.
[singular] : a short trip in a vehicle
[count] : a track that slopes down and that is used for skiing, sledding, etc.
10 
[count] : a path that is used regularly by animals see also rat run
11 
[count] : an enclosed area for animals where they feed and exercise
12 
[count] US : a long hole in a stocking
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
15 
[count] : the general way in which something is moving or changing
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.

on the run

: running away from someone in order to avoid being captured
: running away because you are about to be defeated
: while going somewhere or while doing something else
informal : continuously busy

the run of

: the freedom to go anywhere or do anything you want in (a place)