- to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.
- to move with haste; act quickly: Run upstairs and get the iodine.
- to depart quickly; take to flight; flee or escape: to run from danger.
- to have recourse for aid, support, comfort, etc.: He shouldn't run to his parents with every little problem.
- to make a quick trip or informal visit for a short stay at a place: to run up to New York;I will run over to see you after dinner.
- to go around, rove, or ramble without restraint (often followed by about): to run about in the park.
- to move, roll, or progress from momentum or from being hurled, kicked, or otherwise propelled: The wheel ran over the curb and into the street.
- Sports.
- to take part in a race or contest.
- to finish in a race or contest in a certain numerical position: The horse ran second.
- to be or campaign as a candidate for election.
- to migrate, as fish: to run in huge shoals.
- (of fish) to migrate upstream or inshore from deep water to spawn: Now that it's fall, the salmon are running.
- to move under continuing power or force, as of the wind, a motor, etc.: The car ran along the highway.
- (of a ship, automobile, etc.) to be sailed or driven from a safe, proper, or given route: The ship ran aground.
- to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: This bus runs between New Haven and Hartford.
- to move, glide, turn, rotate, or pass easily, freely, or smoothly: A rope runs in a pulley.
- to creep, trail, or climb, as growing vines: The ivy ran up the side of the house.
- to come undone or to unravel, as stitches or a fabric: these stockings run easily.
- to flow, as a liquid: Let the water run before you drink it.
- to flow along, especially strongly, as a stream or the sea: The rapids ran over the rocks.
- to empty or transfer contents: The river ran into the sea.
- to appear, occur, or exist within a certain limited range; include a specific range of variations (usually followed by from): Your work runs from fair to bad.
- to melt and flow or drip: Wax ran down the burning candle.
- (of a golf ball) to bounce or roll along the ground just after landing from a stroke: The ball struck the green and ran seven feet past the hole.
- to spread when applied to a surface, as a liquid: Fresh paint ran over the window molding onto the pane.
- to spread over a material when exposed to moisture: The dyes in this fabric are guaranteed not to run in washing.
- to undergo a spreading of colors: materials that run when washed.
- to flow forth as a discharge: Tears ran from her eyes.
- to discharge or give passage to a liquid or fluid: Her eyes ran with tears.
- to operate or function: How does your new watch run?Cars run on gasoline.
- to be in operation: the noise of a dishwasher running.
- to continue in operation: The furnace runs most of the day.
- to elapse; pass or go by, as time: Time is running out, and we must hurry.
- to pass into or meet with a certain state or condition: to run into debt;to run into trouble.
- to get or become: The well ran dry.
- to amount; total: The bill ran to $100.
- to be stated or worded in a certain manner: The minutes of the last meeting run as follows.
- Commerce.
- to accumulate, follow, or become payable in due course, as interest on a debt: Your interest runs from January 1st to December 31st.
- to make many withdrawals in rapid succession, as from a bank.
- Law.
- to have legal force or effect, as a writ.
- to continue to operate.
- to go along with: The easement runs with the land.
- to proceed, continue, or go: The story runs for eight pages.
- to extend in a given direction:This road runs north to Litchfield.
- to extend for a certain length: The unpaved section runs for eight miles.
- to extend over a given surface: Shelves ran from floor to ceiling.
- to be printed, as on a printing press: Two thousand copies ran before the typo was caught.
- to appear in print or be published as a story, photograph, etc., in a newspaper, magazine, or the like: The account ran in all the papers.The political cartoon always runs on the editorial page.
- to be performed on a stage or be played continually, as a play: The play ran for two years.
- to occur or take place continuously, as a movie: The picture runs for two hours.
- to pass quickly: A thought ran through his mind. Her eyes ran over the room.
- to be disseminated, circulated, or spread rapidly: The news of his promotion ran all over town.
- to continue or return persistently; recur: The old tune ran through his mind all day.
- to have or tend to have or produce a specified character, quality, form, etc.: This novel runs to long descriptions.This family runs to extreme in everything from foot size to skin sensitivity.
- to be or continue to be of a certain or average size, number, etc.: Potatoes are running large this year.
- to sail before the wind.
- to move or run along (a surface, way, path, etc.): Every morning he ran the dirt path around the reservoir to keep in condition.She ran her fingers over the keyboard.
- to traverse (a distance) in running: He ran the mile in just over four minutes.
- to perform, compete in, or accomplish by or as by running: to run a race;to run an errand.
- to go about freely on or in without supervision: permitting children to run the streets.
- to ride or cause to gallop: to run a horse across a field.
- to enter in a race: He ran his best filly in the Florida Derby.
- to bring into a certain state by running: He ran himself out of breath trying to keep pace.
- to trace, track, pursue or hunt, as game: to run deer on foot.
- to drive (an animal) or cause to go by pursuing: to run a fox to cover;to run the stallion into the barn.
- to leave, flee, or escape from: He ran town before the robbery was discovered.
- to cause to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: to run a ferry between New York and New Jersey.
- to convey or transport, as in a vessel or vehicle: I'll run you home in my car.
- to cause to pass quickly: He ran his eyes over the letter.She ran a comb through her hair.
- to get past or through: to run a blockade.
- (of drivers or cyclists) to disregard (a red or amber traffic light) and continue ahead without stopping.
- to smuggle (contraband goods): to run guns across the border.
- to work, operate, or drive: Can you run a tractor?
- to publish, print, or make copies of, as on a printing press (sometimes followed by off): Run off 3000 of these posters.The newspapers ran the story on page one.
- to process, refine, manufacture, or subject to an analysis or treatment: The doctor wanted to run a blood test.The factory ran 50,000 gallons of paint a day.
- to keep operating or going, as a machine: They ran the presses 24 hours a day.
- to keep (a motor) idling for an indefinite period: On cold days he would run the car motor to prevent stalling.
- to allow (a ship, automobile, etc.) to depart from a safe, proper, or given route, as by negligence or error: He ran the ship aground.She ran the car up on the curb.
- to sponsor, support, or nominate (a person) as a candidate for election.
- to manage or conduct: to run a business;to run one's own life.
- to process (the instructions in a program) by computer.
- (in some games, as billiards) to continue or complete a series of successful strokes, shots, or the like.
- to lead a series (of one's assured tricks or winners in a given suit): He ran the heart suit before leading spades.
- to expose oneself to or be exposed to (a chance, risk, etc.): Through his habitual lateness he ran the danger of being fired.
- to cause (a liquid) to flow: to run the water for a bath.
- to fill (a tub or bath) with water: She ran a hot tub for him.
- to give forth or flow with (a liquid); pour forth or discharge: The well ran 500 barrels of oil daily.
- to charge (an item or items) as on a charge account or to accumulate (bills) to be paid all at one time: He ran a large monthly tab at the club.
- to cause to move easily, freely, or smoothly: to run a rope in a pulley.
- to cause (a golf ball) to move forward along the ground after landing from a stroke: He ran his ball seven feet past the hole.
- to sew or use a running stitch: to run a seam.
- to cause stitches in (a garment or fabric) to unravel or come undone: to run a stocking on a protruding nail.
- to bring, lead, or force into a certain state or condition: He ran his troops into an ambush.They ran themselves into debt.
- to drive, force, or thrust: to run a nail into a board;to run one's head against a wall;to run one's hand into one's pocket.
- to graze; pasture: They run sixty head of cattle on their ranch.
- to extend (something) in a particular direction or to a given point or place: to run a partition across a room;to run a telephone cable from Boston to Buffalo.
- to make (millwork) from boards.
- to cause to fuse and flow, as metal for casting in a mold.
- to draw, trace, or mark out, as a line: to run a line over a surface;to run a line through a word.
- to cost (an amount or approximate amount): This watch runs $30.
- to cost (a person) an amount or approximate amount: The car repair will run you a couple of hundred at least.
- an act, instance, or period of running: She took a five-minute run before breakfast.
- a hurrying to or from some point, as on an errand: a run to reach the store before it closes.
- a fleeing, especially in great haste; flight: a run from the police who were hot on his trail.
- a running pace: The boys set out at a run.
- an act or instance or a period of moving rapidly, as in a boat or automobile: a run to shore before the storm.
- distance covered, as by racing, running, or during a trip: a three-mile run.
- an act or instance or a period of traveling or moving between two places; trip: a truck on its daily run from farm to market;a nonstop run from Louisville to Memphis.
- a single instance of carrying out the sequence of instructions in a program.
- the distance that a golf ball moves along the ground after landing from a stroke: He got a seven-foot run with his chip shot.
- a quick trip for a short stay at a place: to take a run up to New York.
- Military.
- bomb run.
- any portion of a military flight during which the aircraft flies directly toward the target in order to begin its attack: a strafing run.
- Aeronautics.
- the rapid movement, under its own power, of an aircraft on a runway, water, or another surface.
- a routine flight from one place to another: the evening run from New York to London.
- beat (def. 40b).
- an interval or period during which something, as a machine, operates or continues operating: They kept each press in the plant on a 14-hour run.
- the amount of anything produced in such a period: a daily run of 400,000 gallons of paint.
- pressrun.
- a line or place in knitted work where a series of stitches have slipped out or come undone: a run in a stocking.
- onward movement, development, progress, course, etc.: the run of our business from a small store to a large chain.
- the direction of something or of its component elements: the run of the grain of wood.
- the particular course, order, or tendency of something: the normal run of events.
- freedom to move around in, pass through, or use something: to allow one's guests the run of the house.
- any rapid or easy course of progress: a run from trainee to supervisor.
- a continuous series of performances, as of a play: a long run on Broadway.
- an uninterrupted course of some state or condition; a spell: a run of good luck;a run of good weather.
- a continuous extent of something, as a vein of ore.
- an uninterrupted series or sequence of things, events, etc.: a run of 30 scoreless innings.
- a sequence of cards in a given suit: a heart run.
- a sequence of three or more cards in consecutive denominations without regard to suits.
- any extensive continued demand, sale, or the like: a run on umbrellas on a rainy day.
- a series of sudden and urgent demands for payment, as on a bank.
- a period of being in demand or favor with the public: Her last book had a briefer run than her first.
- a period during which liquid flows: They kept each oil well on an eight-hour run.
- the amount that flows during such a period: a run of 500 barrels a day.
- a small stream; brook; rivulet.
- a flow or rush, as of water: The snow melting on the mountains caused a run of water into the valley.
- a kind or class, as of goods: a superior run of blouses.
- the typical, ordinary, or average kind: The run of 19th-century novels tends to be of a sociological nature.
- an inclined course, as on a slope, designed or used for a specific purpose: a bobsled run;a run for training beginning skiers.
- a fairly large enclosure within which domestic animals may move about freely; runway: a chicken run.
- a large sheep ranch or area of grazing land.
- the beaten track or usual trail used by deer or other wild animals; runway.
- a trough or pipe for water or the like.
- the movement of a number of fish upstream or inshore from deep water.
- large numbers of fish in motion, especially inshore from deep water or up a river for spawning: a run of salmon.
- a number of animals moving together.
- a rapid succession of tones; roulade.
- Building Trades.
- the horizontal distance between the face of a wall and the ridge of a roof.
- the distance between the first and last risers of a flight of steps or staircase.
- the horizontal distance between successive risers on a flight of steps or a staircase.
- the score unit made by safely running around all the bases and reaching home plate.
- a series of successful shots, strokes, or the like, in a game.
- the immersed portion of a hull abaft the middle body (opposed to entrance).
- diarrhea.
- melted or liquefied: run butter.
- poured in a melted state; run into and cast in a mold: run bronze.
- to meet or find accidentally: She ran across an old friend at the party.I ran across your podcast while looking for something else online.
- run after,
- to follow; chase: The dog ran after the burglar.
- to pursue or court the affections of, especially in an aggressive manner: He ran after her until she agreed to marry him.
- to attempt to become friendly with or part of the society of: He runs after the country-club set.
- to leave; go on one's way: I have to run along now, but I'll see you tonight.Run along—can't you see I'm busy?
- run around,
- (often followed by with) to socialize; consort with: She runs around with the strangest people.
- to be unfaithful to one's spouse or lover: It was common knowledge that he was running around.
- run away,
- to flee or escape; leave a place of confinement or control with the intention of never returning: He ran away from home three times.
- to haul on a line by walking or running steadily.
- run away with,
- to go away with, especially to elope with: She ran away with a sailor.
- to abscond with; steal: to run away with some valuable jewelry.
- to surpass others in; be outstanding in: to run away with academic honors.
- to overwhelm; get the better of: Sometimes his enthusiasm runs away with him.
- run down,
- to strike and fell or overturn, especially to drive a vehicle into (someone): to run down an innocent pedestrian.
- to pursue until captured; chase: The detective swore that he would run down the criminal.
- to peruse; review: His eyes ran down the front row and stopped suddenly.
- to cease operation; stop: My watch has run down.
- to speak disparagingly of; criticize severely: The students were always running down their math teacher.
- to search out; trace; find: to run down information.
- to tag out (a base runner) between bases.
- to collide with and sink (another vessel).
- to sail closely parallel to (a coast).
- run in,
- to visit casually: If I'm in the neighborhood, I may run in for a few minutes.
- to include in a text, as something to be inserted.
- to arrest; take to jail: They ran him in for burglary.
- to add (matter) to text without indenting.
- to break in (new machinery).
- run into,
- to crash into; collide with: She was so sleepy that she ran into a lamppost.
- to meet accidentally: You never know whom you'll run into at a big party.
- to amount to; total: losses that ran into millions of dollars.
- to succeed; follow: One year ran into the next, and still there was no change.
- to experience; encounter: The project ran into difficulty.
- to sail close to (a coast, vessel, etc.).
- run off,
- to leave quickly; depart: When he realized the time, he ran off with barely a "good-bye," hoping to catch his bus.
- to create or perform rapidly or easily: to run off a new song.
- to determine the winner of (a contest, race, etc.) by a runoff.
- to drive away; expel: to run someone off one's property.
- to print or otherwise duplicate: Please run off 500 copies.
- run off with,
- to abscond with (something); steal or borrow; take: He ran off with the money.Who ran off with the pencil sharpener?
- to elope: I hear she ran off with the Smith boy.
- run on,
- to continue without interruption: The account that he gave ran on at some length.
- to add (matter) to text without indenting.
- to add something, as at the end of a text: to run on an adverb to a dictionary entry.
- run out,
- to terminate; expire: My subscription ran out last month.Time ran out before we could score another touchdown.
- to become used up: His money soon ran out.
- to drive out; expel: They want to run him out of the country.
- to exhaust a quantity or supply of: She couldn't bake a cake because she had run out of sugar.
- to withdraw one's support from; abandon: No one could accuse him of running out on his friends.
- run over,
- to hit and knock down, especially with a vehicle: She cried inconsolably when her cat was run over by a car.
- to go beyond; exceed: His speech ran over the time limit.
- to repeat; review: We'll run over that song again.
- to overflow, as a vessel: The gravy boat ran over when she took her eye off the pan she was filling it from.
- run through,
- to pierce or stab, as with a sword: to run someone through.
- to consume or use up recklessly; squander: to run through a fortune.
- to practice, review, or rehearse quickly or informally: to run through a scene.
- run up,
- to sew rapidly: She ran up some curtains.
- to amass; incur: running up huge debts.
- to cause to increase; raise: to run up costs unnecessarily.
- to build, especially hurriedly: They are tearing down old tenement blocks and running up skyscrapers.
- run with, Informal.
- to proceed or go ahead with: If the stockholders like the idea, we'll run with it.
- to carry out with enthusiasm or speed.
- a run for one's money,
- close or keen competition: The out-of-town team gave us a run for our money.
- enjoyment or profit in return for one's expense: This may not be the best tool kit, but it will give you a run for your money.
- in the course of long experience; in the end: Retribution will come, in the long run.
- as an immediate or temporary outcome: Recession may be averted in the short run if policy changes are made now.
- on the run,
- moving quickly; hurrying about: He's so busy, he's always on the run.
- while running or in a hurry: I usually eat breakfast on the run.
- escaping or hiding from the police: He was on the run for two years.
- run afoul of,
- to collide with so as to cause damage and entanglement.
- to incur or become subject to the wrath or ill will of: to run afoul of the law; .He argued with his father and has run afoul of him ever since.
- to hurry away or flee, especially to evade something: You had better run for it before anyone else arrives.
- run in place,
- to go through the motions of running without leaving one's original place, as on a treadmill: joggers running in place at red lights.
- to exist or work without noticeable change, progress, or improvement: By the end of the third meeting, it was clear that no progress had been made and the committee was just running in place.
- run out of gas, Informal.
- to exhaust or lose one's energy, enthusiasm, etc.: After the first game of tennis, I ran out of gas and had to rest.
- to falter for lack of impetus, ideas, capital, etc.: The economic recovery seems to be running out of gas.
- to be thrown into a state of fear or uncertainty because of a perceived threat; be apprehensive about survival or the future: Many businesses are running scared because of increasing competition.
- (intr)
- (of a two-legged creature) to move on foot at a rapid pace so that both feet are off the ground together for part of each stride
- (of a four-legged creature) to move at a rapid gait; gallop or canter
- to pass over (a distance, route, etc) in running
- to run in or finish a race as specified, esp in a particular position
- to perform or accomplish by or as if by running
- to flee; run away
- to bring into a specified state or condition by running
- to track down or hunt (an animal)
- to move about freely and without restraint
- to go or have recourse, as for aid, assistance, etc
- to set (animals) loose on (a field or tract of land) so as to graze freely
- to make a short trip or brief informal visit
- to move quickly and easily on wheels by rolling, or in any of certain other ways
- to move or cause to move with a specified result or in a specified manner
- to move or pass or cause to move or pass quickly
- to force, thrust, or drive
- to drive or maintain and operate (a vehicle)
- to give a lift to (someone) in a vehicle; transport
- to ply or cause to ply between places on a route
- to operate or be operated; function or cause to function
- to perform or carry out
- to be in charge of; manage
- to extend or continue or cause to extend or continue in a particular direction, for a particular duration or distance, etc
- (intr) law
- to have legal force or effect
- to accompany; be an integral part of or adjunct to
- to be subjected to, be affected by, or incur
- to be characterized (by); tend or incline
- to recur persistently or be inherent
- to cause or allow (liquids) to flow or (of liquids) to flow, esp in a manner specified
- to melt and flow
- metallurgy
- to melt or fuse
- to mould or cast (molten metal)
- (of waves, tides, rivers, etc) to rise high, surge, or be at a specified height
- to be diffused
- (of stitches) to unravel or come undone or (of a garment) to have stitches unravel or come undone
- to sew (an article) with continuous stitches
- (of growing vines, creepers, etc) to trail, spread, or climb
- to spread or circulate quickly
- to be stated or reported
- to publish or print or be published or printed in a newspaper, magazine, etc
- to be a candidate or present as a candidate for political or other office
- to get past or through; evade
- to deal in (arms, etc), esp by importing illegally
- to sail (a vessel, esp a sailing vessel) or (of such a vessel) to be sailed with the wind coming from astern
- (intr) (of fish)
- to migrate upstream from the sea, esp in order to spawn
- to swim rapidly in any area of water, esp during migration
- to score (a run or number of runs) by hitting the ball and running between the wickets
- to make (a number of successful shots) in sequence
- to hit (the ball) so that it rolls along the ground
- to cash (all one's winning cards in a long suit) successively
- to turn on the taps to fill a bath with water for bathing oneself
- to compete closely with; present a serious challenge to
- to attempt to escape from arrest, etc, by running
- to be extremely busy
- an act, instance, or period of running
- a gait, pace, or motion faster than a walk
- a distance covered by running or a period of running
- an act, instance, or period of travelling in a vehicle, esp for pleasure
- free and unrestricted access
- a period of time during which a machine, computer, etc, operates
- the amount of work performed in such a period
- a continuous or sustained period
- a continuous sequence of performances
- a sequence of winning cards in one suit, usually more than five
- tendency or trend
- type, class, or category
- a continuous and urgent demand
- a series of unravelled stitches, esp in stockings or tights; ladder
- the characteristic pattern or direction of something
- a continuous vein or seam of ore, coal, etc
- the direction in which it lies
- a period during which water or other liquid flows
- the amount of such a flow
- a pipe, channel, etc, through which water or other liquid flows
- a small stream
- a steeply inclined pathway or course, esp a snow-covered one used for skiing and bobsleigh racing
- an enclosure for domestic fowls or other animals, in which they have free movement
- (esp in Australia and New Zealand) a tract of land for grazing livestock
- a track or area frequented by animals
- a group of animals of the same species moving together
- the migration of fish upstream in order to spawn
- nautical
- the tack of a sailing vessel in which the wind comes from astern
- part of the hull of a vessel near the stern where it curves upwards and inwards
- military
- a mission in a warplane
- short for bombing run
- the movement of an aircraft along the ground during takeoff or landing
- a rapid scalelike passage of notes
- a score of one, normally achieved by both batsmen running from one end of the wicket to the other after one of them has hit the ball
- an instance of a batter touching all four bases safely, thereby scoring
- the distance that a ball rolls after hitting the ground
- a run for one's money informal
- a strong challenge or close competition
- pleasure derived from an activity
- as the eventual outcome of a sequence of events, actions, etc; ultimately
- as the immediate outcome of a series of events, etc
- on the run
- escaping from arrest; fugitive
- in rapid flight; retreating
- hurrying from place to place
- diarrhoea