Run Definition
run
noun
- a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely; "the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th"; "their first tally came in the 3rd inning"
- the act of testing something; "in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately"; "he called each flip of the coin a new trial"
- a race run on foot; "she broke the record for the half-mile run"
- an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies"
- (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team; "the defensive line braced to stop the run"; "the coach put great emphasis on running"
- a regular trip; "the ship made its run in record time"
- the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace; "he broke into a run"; "his daily run keeps him fit"
- the continuous period of time during which something (a machine or a factory) operates or continues in operation; "the assembly line was on a 12-hour run"
- unrestricted freedom to use; "he has the run of the house"
- the production achieved during a continuous period of operation (of a machine or factory etc.); "a daily run of 100,000 gallons of paint"
- a small stream
- a race between candidates for elective office; "I managed his campaign for governor"; "he is raising money for a Senate run"
- a row of unravelled stitches; "she got a run in her stocking"
- the pouring forth of a fluid
- an unbroken chronological sequence; "the play had a long run on Broadway"; "the team enjoyed a brief run of victories"
- a short trip; "take a run into town"
verb
- move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time; "Don't run--you'll be out of breath"; "The children ran to the store"
- flee; take to one's heels; cut and run; "If you see this man, run!"; "The burglars escaped before the police showed up"
- stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point; "Service runs all the way to Cranbury"; "His knowledge doesn't go very far"; "My memory extends back to my fourth year of life"; "The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets"
- direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.; "She is running a relief operation in the Sudan"
- have a particular form; "the story or argument runs as follows"; "as the saying goes..."
- move along, of liquids; "Water flowed into the cave"; "the Missouri feeds into the Mississippi"
- perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore"
- change or be different within limits; "Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion"; "Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent"; "The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals"; "My students range from very bright to dull"
- run, stand, or compete for an office or a position; "Who's running for treasurer this year?"
- cause to emit recorded audio or video; "They ran the tapes over and over again"; "I'll play you my favorite record"; "He never tires of playing that video"
- move about freely and without restraint, or act as if running around in an uncontrolled way; "who are these people running around in the building?"; "She runs around telling everyone of her troubles"; "let the dogs run free"
- have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined; "She tends to be nervous before her lectures"; "These dresses run small"; "He inclined to corpulence"
- be operating, running or functioning; "The car is still running--turn it off!"
- change from one state to another; "run amok"; "run rogue"; "run riot"
- cause to perform; "run a subject"; "run a process"
- be affected by; be subjected to; "run a temperature"; "run a risk"
- continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of Elvis endures"
- occur persistently; "Musical talent runs in the family"
- carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine; "Run the dishwasher"; "run a new program on the Mac"; "the computer executed the instruction"
- include as the content; broadcast or publicize; "We ran the ad three times"; "This paper carries a restaurant review"; "All major networks carried the press conference"
- carry out; "run an errand"
- pass over, across, or through; "He ran his eyes over her body"; "She ran her fingers along the carved figurine"; "He drew her hair through his fingers"
- cause something to pass or lead somewhere; "Run the wire behind the cabinet"
- make without a miss
- deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor
- cause an animal to move fast; "run the dogs"
- be diffused; "These dyes and colors are guaranteed not to run"
- sail before the wind
- cover by running; run a certain distance; "She ran 10 miles that day"
- extend or continue for a certain period of time; "The film runs 5 hours"
- set animals loose to graze
- keep company; "the heifers run with the bulls to produce offspring"
- run with the ball; in such sports as football
- travel rapidly, by any (unspecified) means; "Run to the store!"; "She always runs to Italy, because she has a lover there"
- travel a route regularly; "Ships ply the waters near the coast"
- pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals); "Goering often hunted wild boars in Poland"; "The dogs are running deer"; "The Duke hunted in these woods"
- compete in a race; "he is running the Marathon this year"; "let's race and see who gets there first"
- progress by being changed; "The speech has to go through several more drafts"; "run through your presentation before the meeting"
- reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating; "melt butter"; "melt down gold"; "The wax melted in the sun"
- come unraveled or undone as if by snagging; "Her nylons were running"
- become undone; "the sweater unraveled"
"Run" in song lyrics
See how run is used in real songs:
-
"Because you talk too much plus you're eager to run"
1.4.0. Productions f/ Cheesey Rat, Crunch Lo, Lighter Shade — God Twist -
"I do it for my dogs out of town whose on the run"
1.4.0. Productions f/ Othorized F.A.M. — We Always Gonna Do It -
"Pump-pump, the G.I. Joe's on the run"
1.4.0. Productions f/ Franky Botts, Lighter Shade, Molly-Q — Let it Bang
Words that rhyme with run
Usage tips for "run"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "run" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for run to find words that pair well.