run Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
    tally.
    • the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th
    • their first tally came in the 3rd inning
  2. noun the act of testing something
    test; trial.
    • in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately
    • he called each flip of the coin a new trial
  3. noun a race run on foot
    footrace; foot race.
    • she broke the record for the half-mile run
  4. noun an unbroken series of events
    streak.
    • had a streak of bad luck
    • Nicklaus had a run of birdies
  5. noun (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team
    running; running play; running game.
    • the defensive line braced to stop the run
    • the coach put great emphasis on running
  6. noun a regular trip
    • the ship made its run in record time
  7. noun the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace
    running.
    • he broke into a run
    • his daily run keeps him fit
  8. noun 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
  9. noun unrestricted freedom to use
    • he has the run of the house
  10. noun the production achieved during a continuous period of operation (of a machine or factory etc.)
    • a daily run of 100,000 gallons of paint
  11. noun a small stream
    rill; rivulet; streamlet; runnel.
  12. noun a race between candidates for elective office
    political campaign; campaign.
    • I managed his campaign for governor
    • he is raising money for a Senate run
  13. noun a row of unravelled stitches
    ladder; ravel.
    • she got a run in her stocking
  14. noun the pouring forth of a fluid
    outpouring; discharge.
  15. noun an unbroken chronological sequence
    • the play had a long run on Broadway
    • the team enjoyed a brief run of victories
  16. noun a short trip
    • take a run into town
  17. 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
  18. verb flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    lam; head for the hills; hightail it; bunk; run away; take to the woods; scarper; escape; fly the coop; break away; scat; turn tail.
    • If you see this man, run!
    • The burglars escaped before the police showed up
  19. verb stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    go; extend; lead; pass.
    • 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
  20. verb direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
    operate.
    • She is running a relief operation in the Sudan
  21. verb have a particular form
    go.
    • the story or argument runs as follows
    • as the saying goes...
  22. verb move along, of liquids
    feed; flow; course.
    • Water flowed into the cave
    • the Missouri feeds into the Mississippi
  23. verb perform as expected when applied
    function; go; work; operate.
    • 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
  24. verb change or be different within limits
    range.
    • 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
  25. verb run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
    campaign.
    • Who's running for treasurer this year?
  26. verb cause to emit recorded audio or video
    play.
    • They ran the tapes over and over again
    • I'll play you my favorite record
    • He never tires of playing that video
  27. verb 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
  28. verb have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    incline; lean; be given; tend.
    • She tends to be nervous before her lectures
    • These dresses run small
    • He inclined to corpulence
  29. verb be operating, running or functioning
    • The car is still running--turn it off!
  30. verb change from one state to another
    • run amok
    • run rogue
    • run riot
  31. verb cause to perform
    • run a subject
    • run a process
  32. verb be affected by; be subjected to
    • run a temperature
    • run a risk
  33. verb continue to exist
    die hard; prevail; endure; persist.
    • These stories die hard
    • The legend of Elvis endures
  34. verb occur persistently
    • Musical talent runs in the family
  35. verb carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
    execute.
    • Run the dishwasher
    • run a new program on the Mac
    • the computer executed the instruction
  36. verb include as the content; broadcast or publicize
    carry.
    • We ran the ad three times
    • This paper carries a restaurant review
    • All major networks carried the press conference
  37. verb carry out
    • run an errand
  38. verb pass over, across, or through
    draw; guide; pass.
    • He ran his eyes over her body
    • She ran her fingers along the carved figurine
    • He drew her hair through his fingers
  39. verb cause something to pass or lead somewhere
    lead.
    • Run the wire behind the cabinet
  40. verb make without a miss
  41. verb deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor
    black market.
  42. verb cause an animal to move fast
    • run the dogs
  43. verb be diffused
    bleed.
    • These dyes and colors are guaranteed not to run
  44. verb sail before the wind
  45. verb cover by running; run a certain distance
    • She ran 10 miles that day
  46. verb extend or continue for a certain period of time
    run for.
    • The film runs 5 hours
  47. verb set animals loose to graze
  48. verb keep company
    consort.
    • the heifers run with the bulls to produce offspring
  49. verb run with the ball; in such sports as football
  50. verb travel rapidly, by any (unspecified) means
    • Run to the store!
    • She always runs to Italy, because she has a lover there
  51. verb travel a route regularly
    ply.
    • Ships ply the waters near the coast
  52. verb pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
    hunt down; hunt; track down.
    • Goering often hunted wild boars in Poland
    • The dogs are running deer
    • The Duke hunted in these woods
  53. verb compete in a race
    race.
    • he is running the Marathon this year
    • let's race and see who gets there first
  54. verb progress by being changed
    go; move.
    • The speech has to go through several more drafts
    • run through your presentation before the meeting
  55. verb reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
    melt down; melt.
    • melt butter
    • melt down gold
    • The wax melted in the sun
  56. verb come unraveled or undone as if by snagging
    ladder.
    • Her nylons were running
  57. verb become undone
    unravel.
    • the sweater unraveled

WordNet

Run intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. rinnen, rennen (imp. ran, p.p. runnen, ronnen). AS. rinnan to flow (imp. ran, p.p. gerunnen), and iernan, irnan, to run (imp. orn, arn, earn, p.p. urnen); akin to D. runnen, renne, OS. & OHG. rinnan, G. rinnen, rennen, Icel. renna, rinna, Sw. rinna, ränna, Dan. rinde, rende, Goth. rinnan, and perh. to L. oriri to rise, Gr. to stir up, rouse, Skr. (cf. Origin), or perh. to L. rivus brook (cf. Rival). *11. Cf. Ember, a., Rennet.
Wordforms
imperfect Ran or Run; past participle Run; present participle & verbal noun Running
Definitions
  1. To move, proceed, advance, pass, go, come, etc., swiftly, smoothly, or with quick action; -- said of things animate or inanimate. Hence, to flow, glide, or roll onward, as a stream, a snake, a wagon, etc.; to move by quicker action than in walking, as a person, a horse, a dog. Specifically: --
  2. Of voluntary or personal action: (a) To go swiftly; to pass at a swift pace; to hasten.
    "Ha, ha, the fox!" and after him they ran. Chaucer.
    (b) To flee, as from fear or danger.
    As from a bear a man would run for life. Shak.
    (c) To steal off; to depart secretly.
    My conscience will serve me to run from this jew. Shak.
    (d) To contend in a race; hence, to enter into a contest; to become a candidate; as, to run for Congress.
    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor. ix. 24.
    (e) To pass from one state or condition to another; to come into a certain condition; -- often with in or into; as, to run into evil practices; to run in debt.
    Have I not cause to rave and beat my breast, to rend my heart with grief and run distracted? Addison.
    (f) To exert continuous activity; to proceed; as, to run through life; to run in a circle. (g) To pass or go quickly in thought or conversation; as, to run from one subject to another.
    Virgil, in his first Georgic, has run into a set of precepts foreign to his subject. Addison.
    (h) To discuss; to continue to think or speak about something; -- with on. (i) To make numerous drafts or demands for payment, as upon a bank; -- with on. (j) To creep, as serpents.
  3. Of involuntary motion: (a) To flow, as a liquid; to ascend or descend; to course; as, rivers run to the sea; sap runs up in the spring; her blood ran cold. (b) To proceed along a surface; to extend; to spread.
    The fire ran along upon the ground. Ex. ix. 23.
    (c) To become fluid; to melt; to fuse.
    As wax dissolves, as ice begins to run. Addison.
    Sussex iron ores run freely in the fire. Woodward.
    (d) To turn, as a wheel; to revolve on an axis or pivot; as, a wheel runs swiftly round. (e) To travel; to make progress; to be moved by mechanical means; to go; as, the steamboat runs regularly to Albany; the train runs to Chicago. (f) To extend; to reach; as, the road runs from Philadelphia to New York; the memory of man runneth not the contrary.
    She saw with joy the line immortal run, Each sire impressed, and glaring in his son. Pope.
    (g) To go back and forth from place to place; to ply; as, the stage runs between the hotel and the station. (h) To make progress; to proceed; to pass.
    As fast as our time runs, we should be very glad in most part of our lives that it ran much faster. Addison.
    (i) To continue in operation; to be kept in action or motion; as, this engine runs night and day; the mill runs six days in the week.
    When we desire anything, our minds run wholly on the good circumstances of it; when it is obtained, our minds run wholly on the bad ones. Swift.
    (j) To have a course or direction; as, a line runs east and west.
    Where the generally allowed practice runs counter to it. Locke.
    Little is the wisdom, where the flight So runs against all reason. Shak.
    (k) To be in form thus, as a combination of words.
    The king's ordinary style runneth, "Our sovereign lord the king." Bp. Sanderson.
    (l) To be popularly known; to be generally received.
    Men gave them their own names, by which they run a great while in Rome. Sir W. Temple.
    Neither was he ignorant what report ran of himself. Knolle.
    (m) To have growth or development; as, boys and girls run up rapidly.
    if the richness of the ground cause turnips to run to leaves. Mortimer.
    (n) To tend, as to an effect or consequence; to incline.
    A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds. Bacon.
    Temperate climates run into moderate governments. Swift.
    (o) To spread and blend together; to unite; as, colors run in washing.
    In the middle of a rainbow the colors are . . . distinguished, but near the borders they run into one another. I. Watts.
    (p) To have a legal course; to be attached; to continue in force, effect, or operation; to follow; to go in company; as, certain covenants run with the land.
    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. Sir J. Child.
    (q) To continue without falling due; to hold good; as, a note has thirty days to run. (r) To discharge pus or other matter; as, an ulcer runs. (s) To be played on the stage a number of successive days or nights; as, the piece ran for six months. (t) (Naut.) To sail before the wind, in distinction from reaching or sailing closehauled; -- said of vessels.
  4. Specifically, of horse: To move rapidly in a gait in which each leg acts in turn as a propeller and a supporter, and in which for an instant all the limbs are gathered in the air under the body. Stillman (The Horse in Motion).
  5. (Athletics) To move rapidly by springing steps so that there is an instant in each step when neither foot touches the ground; -- so distinguished from walking in athletic competition.
Run transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to run (in the various senses of Run, v. i.); as, to run a horse; to run a stage; to run a machine; to run a rope through a block.
  2. To pursue in thought; to carry in contemplation.
    To run the world back to its first original. South.
    I would gladly understand the formation of a soul, and run it up to its "punctum saliens." Collier.
  3. To cause to enter; to thrust; as, to run a sword into or through the body; to run a nail into the foot.
    You run your head into the lion's mouth. Sir W. Scott.
    Having run his fingers through his hair. Dickens.
  4. To drive or force; to cause, or permit, to be driven.
    They ran the ship aground. Acts xxvii. 41.
    A talkative person runs himself upon great inconveniences by blabbing out his own or other's secrets. Ray.
    Others, accustomed to retired speculations, run natural philosophy into metaphysical notions. Locke.
  5. To fuse; to shape; to mold; to cast; as, to run bullets, and the like.
    The purest gold must be run and washed. Felton.
  6. To cause to be draw; to mark out; to indicate; to determine; as, to run a line.
  7. To cause to pass, to evade, offical restrictions; to smuggle; -- said of contraband or dutiable goods.
    heavy impositions . . . are a strong temptation of running goods. Swift.
  8. To go through or accomplish by running; as, to run a race; to run a certain career.
  9. To cause to stand as a candidate for office; to support for office; as, to run some one for Congress. Colloq. U.S.
  10. To encounter or incur, as a danger or risk; as, to run the risk of losing one's life. See To run the chance, below. "He runneth two dangers." Bacon. "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." Quail.
  11. To put at hazard; to venture; to risk.
    He would himself be in the Highlands to receive them, and run his fortune with them. Clarendon.
  12. To discharge; to emit; to give forth copiously; to be bathed with; as, the pipe or faucet runs hot water.
    At the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Shak.
  13. To be charged with, or to contain much of, while flowing; as, the rivers ran blood.
  14. To conduct; to manage; to carry on; as, to run a factory or a hotel. Colloq. U.S.
  15. To tease with sarcasms and ridicule. Colloq.
  16. To sew, as 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.
  17. To migrate or move in schools; -- said of fish; esp., to ascend a river in order to spawn.
Run noun
Definitions
  1. The act of running; as, a long run; a good run; a quick run; to go on the run.
  2. A small stream; a brook; a creek.
  3. That which runs or flows in the course of a certain operation, or during a certain time; as, a run of must in wine making; the first run of sap in a maple orchard.
  4. A course; a series; that which continues in a certain course or series; as, a run of good or bad luck.
    They who made their arrangements in the first run of misadventure . . . put a seal on their calamities. Burke.
  5. State of being current; currency; popularity.
    it is impossible for detached papers to have a general run, or long continuance, if not diversified with humor. Addison.
  6. Continued repetition on the stage; -- said of a play; as, to have a run of a hundred successive nights.
    A canting, mawkish play . . . had an immense run. Macaulay.
  7. A continuing urgent demand; especially, a pressure on a bank or treasury for payment of its notes.
  8. A range or extent of ground for feeding stock; as, a sheep run. Howitt.
  9. (Naut.) (a) The aftermost part of a vessel's hull where it narrows toward the stern, under the quarter (b) The distance sailed by a ship; as, a good run; a run of fifty miles. (c) A voyage; as, run to China.
  10. A pleasure excursion; a trip. Colloq.
    A think of giving her a run in London. Dickens.
  11. (Mining) The horizontal distance to which a drift may be carried, either by license 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.
  12. (Mus.) A roulade, or series of running tones.
  13. (Mil.) The greatest degree of swiftness in marching. It is executed upon the same principles as the double-quick, but with greater speed.
  14. The act of migrating, or ascending a river to spawn; -- said of fish; also, an assemblage or school of fishes which migrate, or ascend a river for the purpose of spawning.
  15. In baseball, a complete circuit of the bases made by a player, which enables him to score one; in cricket, a passing from one wicket to the other, by which one point is scored; as, a player made three runs; the side went out with two hundred runs.
    The "runs" are made from wicket to wicket, the batsmen interchanging ends at each run. R. A. Proctor.
  16. A pair or set of millstones.
Run adjective
Definitions
  1. Melted, or made from molten material; cast in a mold; as, run butter; run iron or lead.
  2. Smuggled; as, run goods. Colloq. Miss Edgeworth. Raymond.

Webster 1913