RUN | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English rinnan, irnan (verb), of Germanic origin, probably reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse rinna, renna. The current form with -u- in the present tense is first recorded in the 16th century

move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time

move at speed faster than walk

• the dog ran across the road
• she ran the last few yards, breathing heavily
• he hasn't paid for his drinks—run and catch him

pass or cause to pass quickly in a particular direction

pass or cause to pass quickly in particular direction

• the rumour ran through the pack of photographers
• Helen ran her fingers through her hair

(with reference to a liquid) flow or cause to flow

flow or cause to flow

• a small river runs into the sea at one side of the castle
• she ran cold water into a basin

extend or cause to extend in a particular direction

extend or cause to extend in particular direction

• cobbled streets run down to a tiny harbour
• he ran a wire under the carpet

(of a bus, train, ferry, or other form of transport) make a regular journey on a particular route

make regular journey on particular route

• buses run into town every half hour

be in charge of; manage

be in charge of

• Andrea runs her own catering business
• an attractive family-run hotel

be in or cause to be in operation; function or cause to function

be in or cause to be in operation

• the car runs on unleaded fuel
• the modem must be run off a mains transformer

continue or be valid or operative for a particular period of time

continue or be valid or operative for particular period of time

• the course ran for two days
• this particular debate will run and run

stand as a candidate in an election

stand as candidate in election

• he announced that he intended to run for President

publish or be published in a newspaper or magazine

publish or be published in newspaper or magazine

• the tabloid press ran the story
• when the story ran, there was a big to-do

bring (goods) into a country illegally and secretly; smuggle

bring goods into country illegally

• they run drugs for the cocaine cartels

cost (someone) (a specified amount)

cost someone

• a new photocopier will run us about $1,300

(of a stocking or pair of tights) develop a ladder.

develop ladder

provide

provide

• the wait-and-see game continues until the government runs some ready cash

an act or spell of running

act or spell of running

• I usually go for a run in the morning
• a cross-country run

a journey accomplished or route taken by a vehicle, aircraft, or boat, especially on a regular basis

journey accomplished or route taken by vehicle, aircraft, or boat

• the London–Liverpool run

an opportunity or attempt to achieve something

opportunity or attempt to achieve something

• their absence means the Russians will have a clear run at the title

a continuous spell of a particular situation or condition

continuous spell of particular situation or condition

• he's had a run of bad luck

a widespread and sudden demand for (a commodity) or a widespread trading in (a currency)

widespread and sudden demand for commodity

• there's been a big run on nostalgia toys this year

the average or usual type of person or thing

average or usual type of person or thing

• the new trooper stood out from the general run of eager youth crowding to enlist

a sloping snow-covered course or track used for skiing, bobsleighing, or tobogganing

course or track used for skiing or tobogganing

• a ski run

an enclosed area in which domestic animals or birds may run freely in the open

enclosed area in which domestic animals or birds may run freely in open

• an excellent and safe guinea pig run

free and unrestricted use of or access to

free and unrestricted use of or access to

• her cats were given the run of the house

a unit of scoring achieved by hitting the ball so that both batters are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances.

unit of cricket scoring

a vertical line of unravelled stitches in stockings or tights; a ladder

ladder in stockings or tights

• she had a run in her nylons

a downward trickle of paint or a similar substance when applied too thickly

downward trickle of paint

• varnish should be applied with care to avoid runs and an uneven surface

diarrhoea.

diarrhoea

the after part of a ship's bottom where it rises and narrows towards the stern.

after part of ship's bottom where it rises and narrows towards stern