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Definition run in American English

run verb

verb
/rʌn/
1

to move quickly to a place using your legs and feet

Example

You'll have to run if you want to catch the school bus.

Example

A cat ran across the road in front of me.

Example

We ran for shelter as soon as the rain started.

Example

I ran to the door and opened it.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to run in a race

Example

He's running the hundred yard dash.

Example

I'd love to run in the Boston Marathon.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

to have a race in a particular place or at a particular time

Example

The race will be run at 3 p.m.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

to run a particular distance

Example

How quickly can you run a mile?

Synonyms and related words
2

to control and organize something such as a business, organization, or event

Example

Sue's been running a mail-order business for years.

Example

He was the man who ran Clinton's election campaign.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to organize and provide something such as a service or class

Example

The shelter is run entirely by volunteers.

Synonyms and related words
3

if a machine or engine runs, or if you run it, it is working

Example

Don't leave the engine running.

Example

I ran the dishwasher even though it wasn't full.

Example

Does your car run on premium or unleaded?

Synonyms and related words
3.1

to start or to use a computer program

Example

Try running the program again and see if it works.

Example

The software will run on any PC.

Example

a spreadsheet package that runs under Windows or Unix

Synonyms and related words
4

if a liquid runs somewhere, it flows there

Example

Tears were running down his face.

Example

Blood ran from a wound in her leg.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

if a river runs somewhere, it flows there

Example

The Mississippi runs into the Gulf of Mexico.

Synonyms and related words
4.2

if a faucet runs, or if you run it, water comes out of it

Synonyms and related words
4.3

if something is running with a liquid, the liquid is flowing down it

Example

His back was running with sweat.

Synonyms and related words
4.4

to fill a bath or other container with water from a faucet

Example

I ran a sink full of cold water.

Example

Dad offered to run a bath for me.

Synonyms and related words
5

to try to be elected to an official job or position

Example

How many candidates are running?

Example

Jackson announced his intention to run for president.

Example

There will be three candidates running against her in next month's elections.

Synonyms and related words
6

if a bus, train, etc. runs, it travels somewhere at regular times

Example

The train only runs on the weekend.

Example

The trains never seem to run on time.

Example

The shuttle was running twenty minutes late.

Synonyms and related words
6.1

to take someone somewhere in your car

Example

John kindly offered to run me into town.

Example

I'll run you there, it's no trouble.

Synonyms and related words
6.2

if a vehicle runs somewhere, it moves there because the driver is not controlling it properly

Example

The truck ran down the hill and into a store window.

Synonyms and related words
Example

a soap opera that has been running for many years

Example

How long did the movie run for?

Synonyms and related words
7.1

if an official agreement or document runs until a particular time, you can continue to use it until that date

Example

The contract only has another couple of months to run.

Synonyms and related words
8

to reach a particular amount or rate

Example

Ticket prices were running anywhere from $50 to $200.

Example

Inflation is running at 3%.

Synonyms and related words
9

to move or rub something along something else

Example

In a fit of jealousy, he ran a key down the side of Greg's car.

Example

Fred ran his fingers gently through her hair.

Synonyms and related words
10

if something such as a road or wall runs somewhere, it exists in that place

Example

There was a path running through the middle of the forest.

Synonyms and related words
11

to put something such as a wire or thread somewhere

Example

You could run the cable behind the desk.

Synonyms and related words
12

if a feeling runs through you, you experience it

Example

A chill ran through me (=I suddenly felt frightened).

Synonyms and related words
12.1

to have a particular thought

Example

Our thoughts seem to run along the same lines (=we think the same).

Example

His thoughts ran to the first time he had met Matilda.

Example

The thought that she might be lying ran through my mind.

Synonyms and related words
14

if a piece of clothing or a color runs, the color spreads when you wash it

Synonyms and related words
14.1

if something such as paint or ink runs, it spreads to where it should not be

Example

Crying had made her mascara run.

Synonyms and related words
14.2

if something such as butter runs, it becomes liquid and spreads because it is warm

Synonyms and related words
15

to bring someone or something illegally into a country

Example

We know of several groups who are running guns into the country.

Synonyms and related words
Example

Ivy runs up the walls of the house.

Synonyms and related words
17

to move smoothly

Example

The curtains run on these tracks.

Synonyms and related words
18

if a story, argument, etc. runs in a particular way, this is what happens or what someone says

Example

The text ran something like this: "Don't mess with our business!"

Synonyms and related words
19

if tights or pantyhose run, a hole in them becomes longer

Synonyms and related words
20

to run extremely fast

Example

We must run like the wind, or else we're going to be late!

21

to talk without thinking about the impact of what you are saying

Example

I'm sick to death of you running your mouth.

Definition run in American English

Related Words

Words related to run:

a clear run (phrase) a run of luck (phrase) a run on something (phrase) at a run (phrase) break into a run (phrase) bull run (noun) chicken run (noun) close-run (adjective) cut and run (phrase) dry run (noun) dummy run (noun) fun run (noun) off the rails (phrase) to seed (phrase) have the run of something (phrase) hit-and-run (adjective) hit-and-run (noun) home run (noun) in the long (phrase) in the short (phrase) make a run at something (phrase) make a run for it (phrase) make a run for something (phrase) milk run (noun) on the run (phrase) print run (noun) run (verb) run (noun) -run (suffix) run a (red) light (phrase) run a mile (phrase) run a risk (phrase) run a (phrase) run a tight ship (phrase) run across (phrasal verb) run after (phrasal verb) run along (phrasal verb) run and do something (phrase) run around (phrasal verb) run around after (phrasal verb) run around with (phrasal verb) run away (phrasal verb) run away with (phrasal verb) run by (phrasal verb) run on (phrase) run circles around someone (phrase) run down (phrasal verb) run dry (phrase) run for it (phrase) run for your life (phrase) run high (phrase) run interference (phrase) run into (phrasal verb) run like hell (phrase) run off (phrasal verb) run off with (phrasal verb) run on (phrasal verb) run out (phrasal verb) run out of gas (phrase) run out of (phrase) run out of road (phrase) steam (phrase) run out on (phrasal verb) run over (phrasal verb) run riot (phrase) run short (of something) (phrase) run someone off the road (phrase) run someone ragged (phrase) run someone’s life (phrase) run the clock down (phrase) run the gauntlet (phrase) run the risk (of something) (phrase) run through (phrasal verb) run to (phrasal verb) run to fat (phrase) run up (phrasal verb) run up against (phrasal verb) run wild (phrase) run with it (phrase) run your eyes over something (phrase) run-down (adjective) run-in (noun) run-of-the-mill (adjective) run-on sentence (noun) run-through (noun) run-up (noun) hot and cold (phrase) deep (phrase) its course (phrase) off your feet (phrase) something will run and run (phrase) still waters run deep (phrase) take a run at something (phrase) test run (noun) the run-up to something (phrase) the school run (noun) trial run (noun) well-run (adjective) wolf run (noun)