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 fol. 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.

to migrate upstream or inshore from deep water to spawn.

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, esp. 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 fol. by from )

Your work runs from fair to bad.

to melt and flow or drip

Wax ran down the burning candle.

Golf . (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 on being 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

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. Her sister is fat too, but the family runs to being overweight.

to be or continue to be of a certain or average size, number, etc.

Potatoes are running large this year.

Nautical . 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 fol. 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.

Computers . 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.

Cards . 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.

Golf . 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.

Carpentry . 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

to cost (a person) an amount or approximate amount

The car repair will run you a couple of hundred at least.

an act or instance, or a period of running

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, esp. 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.

Computers . a single instance of carrying out the sequence of instructions in a program.

Golf . 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.

Cribbage . 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.

Australian . 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, esp. inshore from deep water or up a river for spawning

a run of salmon.

a number of animals moving together.

Music . 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.

Baseball . 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.

Nautical . the immersed portion of a hull abaft the middle body ( opposed to entrance ).

the runs, ( used with a singular or plural verb ) Informal . diarrhea.

melted or liquefied

run butter.

poured in a melted state; run into and cast in a mold

run bronze.

run across, to meet or find accidentally

She ran across an old friend at the party. He ran across her name in the phone book.

run after,

to follow; chase

The dog ran after the burglar.

to pursue or court the affections of, esp. 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.

run along, to leave; go on one's way

I have to run along now, but I'll see you tonight. Run alongcan't you see I'm busy?

run around,

(often fol. 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.

Nautical . to haul on a line by walking or running steadily.

run away with,

to go away with, esp. 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, esp. 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.

Baseball . to tag out (a base runner) between bases.

Nautical . to collide with and sink (another vessel).

Nautical . 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.

Slang . to arrest; take to jail

They ran him in for burglary.

Printing . 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.

run in with, Nautical . to sail close to (a coast, vessel, etc.).

run off,

to leave quickly; depart.

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.

Printing . 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.

run out of, to exhaust a quantity or supply of

She couldn't bake a cake because she had run out of sugar.

run out on, 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, esp. 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.

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, esp. 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 long run

in the course of long experience; in the end

Retribution will come, in the long run.

in the short 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

Nautical . 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.

run for it, to hurry away or flee

esp. 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.

to exist or work without noticeable change, progress, or improvement.

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.

run scared

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.

verb

run