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run

run definition

run (run)

intransitive verb ran or Dialectalrun, run, running run′·ning

to go by moving the legs rapidly, faster than in walking, and (in a two-legged animal) in such a way that for an instant both feet are off the ground
1. to go rapidly; move swiftly
2. to resort (to) for aid always running to the police
to associate or consort (with)
to go, move, grow, etc. easily and freely, without hindrance or restraint
to go away rapidly; flee
to make a quick trip (up to, down to, over to, etc. a specified place) for a brief stay
1. to take part in a contest or race
2. ☆ to be a candidate in an election
to finish a contest or race in the specified position to run last
to swim in migration, as upstream or inshore for spawning, etc.: said of fish
to go, as on a schedule; ply between two points a bus that runs between Chicago and Detroit
to go or pass lightly and rapidly his eyes ran over the page
to be current; circulate a rumor running through the town
to climb or creep: said of plants a vine running over the wall
to move continuously or incessantly: often used figuratively his tongue ran on and on
to ravel lengthwise in a knitted fabric
to function or operate with or as with parts that revolve, slide, etc. a machine that is running
to recur or return to the mind
to flow a running stream
to melt and flow the wax ran
1. to spread when put on a surface, as a liquid
2. to spread over or be diffused through cloth, etc. when moistened, as colors
3. to be subject to such spreading of color, as fabric
to be wet or covered with a flow eyes running with tears
to give passage to a fluid; specif.,
1. to discharge pus, mucus, etc.
2. to leak, as a faucet
to elapse the days ran into weeks
1. to appear in print, as in a newspaper
2. to appear or be presented continuously or in a continuing series a play that ran for a year
1. to continue in effect or force a law running for twenty years
2. to continue to occur; recur talent runs in the family
to be characterized by having, producing, using, etc.: with to their taste runs to exotic foods
1. to extend in or as in a continuous line a fence running through the woods
2. to include so as to show variety: with from and to a repertoire running from tragedy to comedy
to pass into a specified condition, situation, etc. to run into trouble
to sail or float (aground, etc.): said of a ship
to be written, expressed, played, etc. in a specified way the adage runs like this
to be or continue at a specified size, price, amount, etc. apples running four to the pound
Naut. to sail with the wind coming from astern

Etymology: altered (with vowel prob. infl. by pp.) < ME rinnen, rennen < ON & OE: ON rinna, to flow, run, renna, to cause to run (< Gmc *rannjan); OE rinnan, iornan: both < Gmc *renwo < IE base *er-, to set in motion, excite > raise, L origo, origin

transitive verb

to run along or follow (a specified course or route)
to travel over; cover by running, driving, etc. horses ran the range
to do or perform by or as by running to run a race
to subject oneself to (a risk); incur
☆
1. to get past or escape by going through to run a blockade
2. to go past or through without making a required stop to run a stop sign or a red light
to pursue or hunt (game, etc.)
to compete with in or as in a race; vie with
1. to enter (a horse, etc.) in a race
2. ☆ to put up or support as a candidate for election
1. to make run, move, operate, etc.
2. to cause to go between points, as on a schedule
3. to cause (a motor or engine) to idle for a while
4. to make (a stocking) run
to bring, lead, or force into a specified condition, situation, etc. by or as by running to run oneself into debt
1. to carry or convey, as in a ship or vehicle; transport
2. to carry (taxable or outlawed goods) in or out illegally; smuggle
to drive, force, or thrust (an object) into, through, or against (something)
to make go, move, pass, flow, etc., esp. rapidly, in a specified way, direction, place, etc. to run water into a glass
1. ☆ to be in charge of; manage to run a household
2. ☆ to keep, feed, or graze (livestock)
3. to perform the steps of (an experiment, test, etc.)
4. to cause to undergo a test, procedure, process, etc.
to cost (an amount) boots that run $20
to mark, draw, or trace (lines, as on a map)
to extend, pass, or trace in a specified way or direction to run a story back to its source
to undergo or be affected by (a fever, etc.)
to flow with, discharge, or pour forth gutters running blood
to melt, fuse, or smelt (ore)
to cast or mold, as from molten metal; found
☆ to print; esp., to publish (an advertisement, story, etc.) in a newspaper or magazine
Billiards to complete successfully (a specified number of strokes, shots, etc.) in uninterrupted sequence
Bridge to lead consecutively the remaining cards of (an established suit)
Comput. to cause (a program, software, etc.) to operate or start operating
Golf to cause (a ball) to roll, esp. on a green

noun

an act or period of running or moving rapidly
1. a race for runners
2. a running pace; rapid gait
3. capacity for running
the distance covered or time spent in running
a trip; journey; esp.,
1. a single, customary, or regular trip, as of a train, ship, or plane
2. a quick trip, esp. for a brief stay
3. route (sense )
1. movement onward, progression, or trend the run of events
2. a continuous course or period of a specified condition, action, etc. a run of good luck
direction or course, as of the grain of wood, a vein of ore, etc.
a continuous course of performances, showings, etc. a play that had a run of a year
a series of continued, sudden, or urgent requests or demands, as by customers for certain goods, or by bank depositors for their funds
a period of being in public demand or favor
a continuous series or sequence, as three or more cards in unbroken order in one suit
a continuous extent of something
a flow or rush of water, etc., as of the tide
a small, swift stream, as a brook or rivulet
1. a period during which some fluid flows readily
2. the amount of flow
3. Slang diarrhea: with the
1. a period of operation of a machine
2. the output during this period
1. a kind, sort, or class, as of goods
2. the ordinary, usual, or average kind or type
something in, on, or along which something else runs; specif.,
1. an inclined pathway or course a ski run
2. a track, channel, trough, pipe, etc.
3. an enclosed area in which domestic animals or fowl can move about freely or feed a chicken run
4. in Australia, a large grazing area or ranch
5. a well-defined trail or path made and used by animals a buffalo run
freedom to use all the facilities or move freely in any part (of a place) to have the run of an estate
1. a number of animals in motion together
2. a large number of fish migrating together, as upstream or inshore for spawning
3. such migration of fish
☆ a ravel lengthwise in something knitted, as in hosiery
☆ Baseball a point scored whenever a base runner successfully touches all four bases in the proper order without being out
Billiards an uninterrupted sequence of successful strokes, shots, etc.
Cricket a scoring point, made by a successful running of both batsmen from one wicket to the other
Mil. the approach to the target made by an airplane in bombing, strafing, etc.
Comput. one execution of a program
Music a rapid succession of tones, as a roulade
Naut. the after part of a ship's bottom, from where it starts to curve up and in toward the stern

adjective

melted; made liquid
poured or molded while in a melted state run metal
drained or extracted, as honey
having migrated and spawned: said of fish

run Idioms

a run for one's money

powerful competition
some satisfaction for what one has expended, as in betting on a near winner in a race

in the long run

in the final outcome; ultimately

in the short run

in the beginning; at first; initially

on the run

running
hurrying from place to place or task to task
running away; in retreat

run across

☆

to encounter by chance

run after

to pursue or follow
Informal to seek the company or companionship of

run along

to leave or depart

run around

Informal to be sexually unfaithful; cheat

run away

to flee
to desert one's home or family
to escape and run loose, as a horse

run away with

to depart and take with one; esp., to steal
to carry out of control his enthusiasm ran away with him
1. to outdo greatly all other contestants or performers in
2. to get (a prize, honors, etc.) in this way

run back

to carry (a football) toward the opponent's goal, as after receiving a kickoff

run down

to cease to run, or stop operating, as a mechanical device, through lack of power
to run, ride, or drive against so as to knock down
to pursue and capture or kill
to search out the source of
to speak of slightingly or injuriously; disparage
to lessen or lower in worth, quality, etc.; make or become run-down
to read through rapidly
☆ Baseball to catch and tag (a base runner trapped between two bases)

run for it

to run in order to escape or avoid something

run in