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Definition run in British 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 bus.

Example

A cat ran across the road in front of me.

Example

I ran to the door and opened it.

Example

We ran for shelter as soon as the rain started.

Synonyms and related words
run run runner
1.1

to run in a race

Example

He's running the 100m.

Example

I'd love to run in the London Marathon.

Synonyms and related words
run run runner
1.2

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

Example

The race will be run at 3 pm.

Synonyms and related words
ahead a poor second baton
1.3

to run a particular distance

Example

How quickly can you run a mile?

Synonyms and related words
run run runner
2

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

Example

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

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
bureaucratise bureaucratize micromanage
2.1

to organize and provide something such as a service or course

Example

The shelter is run entirely by volunteers.

Example

The bus company runs a regular airport shuttle service.

Synonyms and related words
plan arrange organize
3

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

Example

Don't leave the car engine running.

Example

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

Example

Does your car run on petrol or diesel?

Example

My laptop can run off the mains or a battery.

Synonyms and related words
activate actuate coax operate come on function
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
access archive back up log on log off power up
3.2

to own and use a motor vehicle

Example

expenses involved in running a car

Synonyms and related words
back up belt up be on someone’s tail
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
break burst cast up
4.1

if a river runs somewhere, it flows there

Example

The Rhine runs into the North Sea.

Synonyms and related words
break burst cast up
4.2

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

Synonyms and related words
break burst cast up
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
break burst cast up
4.4

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

Example

I ran a sink full of cold water.

Example

Dad offered to run me a bath.

Synonyms and related words
inflate pump up blow up
Example

a soap opera that has been running for many years

Example

How long did the film run for?

Synonyms and related words
broadcast report give out
5.1

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
last extend go back
6

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

Example

The train only runs at weekends.

Example

Do the buses run on time?

Example

The train was running twenty minutes late.

Synonyms and related words
aboard afloat aisle seat
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.

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 shop window.

Synonyms and related words
head go progress
7

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
reach come come to
8

to move or rub something along something else

Example

Fred ran his fingers gently through her hair.

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
rub knead scratch
9

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.

Example

A mountain range runs parallel to the western border.

Synonyms and related words
occupy set exist
10

to put something such as a wire or thread somewhere

Example

You could run the cable behind the desk.

Synonyms and related words
put place position
11

if a feeling runs through you, you experience it

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
come over return run away with
11.1

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
occur to flash dawn
12

if newspapers run an article, advertisement, or photograph, they print it

13

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.

Synonyms and related words
campaign canvass run
14

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

Synonyms and related words
blacken bleach bleed
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
spread out disperse fan out
14.2

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

Synonyms and related words
atomise atomize bake
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
abduct abet aid and abet
Example

Ivy runs up the walls of the house.

Synonyms and related words
bear bear fruit bloom
17

to move smoothly

Example

The curtains run on these tracks.

Synonyms and related words
crawl dawdle creep
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
play out go go off
19

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

Synonyms and related words
bag breathe bunch
20

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 British English

Related Words

Words related to run:

a clear run (phrase) a run of luck (phrase) a run on something (phrase) against the run of play (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) home run (noun) in the long (phrase) in the short (phrase) make a run for it (phrase) make a run for something (phrase) milk run (noun) on the run (phrase) pick up the ball and run with it (phrase) print run (noun) rat 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 down (phrasal verb) run dry (phrase) run for it (phrase) run for your life (phrase) run high (phrase) run in (phrasal verb) 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 road (phrase) steam (phrase) run out on (phrasal verb) run over (phrasal verb) run rings round someone (phrase) run riot (phrase) run short (of something) (phrase) run someone close (phrase) run someone off the road (phrase) run someone ragged (phrase) run someone’s life (phrase) run to earth (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 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) 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)