run
1run
verb \ˈrən\ran\ˈran\ also chiefly dialect runrunrun·ning
Definition of RUN
intransitive verb
1
2
a : to go without restraint : move freely about at will <let chickens run loose> b : to keep company : consort <a ram running with ewes> <ran with a wild crowd when he was young> c : to sail before the wind in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauled d : roam, rove <running about with no overcoat>
3
4
a : to contend in a race b : to enter into an election contest <will run for mayor>
5
a : to move on or as if on wheels : glide <file drawers running on ball bearings> b : to roll forward rapidly or freely c : to pass or slide freely <a rope runs through the pulley> d : to ravel lengthwise <stockings guaranteed not to run>
6
: to sing or play a musical passage quickly <run up the scale>
7
a : to go back and forth : ply <the train runs between New York and Washington> b of fish : to migrate or move in considerable numbers; especially : to move up or down a river to spawn
8
9
a (1) : to continue in force, operation, or production <the contract has two more years to run> <the play ran for six months> (2) : to have a specified duration, extent, or length <the manuscript runs nearly 500 pages> b : to accompany as a valid obligation or right <a right-of-way that runs with the land> c : to continue to accrue or become payable <interest on the loan runs from July 1>
10
: to pass from one state to another <run into debt>
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a : to develop rapidly in some specific direction; especially : to throw out an elongated shoot of growth b : to tend to produce or develop a specified quality or feature <they run to big noses in that family>
13
a : to lie in or take a certain direction <the boundary line runs east> b : to lie or extend in relation to something c : to go back : reach d (1) : to be in a certain form or expression <the letter runs as follows> (2) : to be in a certain order of succession
14
a : to occur persistently <musical talent runs in the family> b (1) : to remain of a specified size, amount, character, or quality <profits were running high> (2) : to have or maintain a relative position or condition (as in a race) <ran third> <running late> c : to exist or occur in a continuous range of variation <shades run from white to dark gray>
15
a : to spread or pass quickly from point to point <chills ran up her spine> b : to be current : circulate <speculation ran rife>
transitive verb
1
a : to cause (an animal) to go rapidly : ride or drive fast b : to bring to a specified condition by or as if by running <ran himself to death> c : to go in pursuit of : hunt, chase <dogs that run deer> d : to follow the trail of backward : trace <ran the rumor to its source> e : to enter, register, or enroll as a contestant in a race f : to put forward as a candidate for office g : to carry (the football) on a running play
2
a : to drive (livestock) especially to a grazing place b : to provide pasturage for (livestock) c : to keep or maintain (livestock) on or as if on pasturage
3
a (1) : to pass over or traverse with speed (2) : to run on or over in athletic competition <runs the bases well> <run the floor> b : to accomplish or perform by or as if by running <ran a great race> <run errands> c : to slip or go through or past <run a blockade> <run a red light> d : to travel on (as a river) in a boat <run the rapids>
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5
: to cause to pass lightly or quickly over, along, or into something <ran her eye down the list>
6
8
a : to cause to move or flow in a specified way or into a specified position <run cards into a file> b : to cause to produce a flow (as of water) <run the faucet>; also : to prepare by running a faucet <run a hot bath>
9
10
: to make oneself liable to : incur <ran the risk of discovery>
11
: to mark out : draw <run a contour line on a map>
12
a : to permit (as charges) to accumulate before settling <run a tab at the bar> —often used with up <ran up a large phone bill> b : cost 1 <rooms that run $50 a night>
13
a : to produce by or as if by printing —usually used with off <ran off 10,000 copies of the first edition> b : to carry in a printed medium : print <every newspaper ran the story>
14
a : to make (a series of counts) without a miss <run 19 in an inning in billiards> b : to lead winning cards of (a suit) successively c : to alter by addition <ran his record to six wins and four losses>
15
: to make (a golf ball) roll forward after alighting
— run across
: to meet with or discover by chance
— run a fever or run a temperature
: to have a fever
— run after
— run against
— run a tight ship
: to have strict and exacting standards in controlling or managing something (as a business)
— run by or run past
: to present to (as for evaluation) <ran some ideas by her>
— run circles around or run rings around
: to show marked superiority over : defeat decisively or overwhelmingly
— run dry
1
: to use up an available supply
2
: to become exhausted or spent <his inspiration had run dry>
— run interference
: to provide assistance by or as if by clearing a path through obstructions <ran interference for me with the press>
— run into
1
a : to change or transform into : become b : to merge with c : to mount up to <their yearly income often runs into six figures>
2
a : to collide with b : to meet by chance <ran into an old classmate the other day>
— run low on
: to approach running out of <running low on options>
— run one's mouth
: to talk excessively or foolishly
— run riot
1
: to act wildly or without restraint
2
: to occur in profusion <daffodils running riot>
— run short
: to become insufficient
— run short of
: to use up : run low on
— run the numbers
: to perform calculations
— run the table
1
: to sink all remaining shots without missing in pool
2
: to win all remaining contests
— run to
: to mount up to <the book runs to 500 pages>
— run upon
: to run across : meet with
— run with
1
: to use or exploit fully : make the most of <took the idea and ran with it>
2
: to publicize widely <the press ran with the quote>
See Usage Discussion of RUN
The past tense run still survives in speech in southern England and in the speech especially of older people in some parts of the United States It was formerly used in literature, and was a standard variant in our dictionaries from 1828 until 1934. Grammarians have generally opposed it, and many people consider it nonstandard. Just about everybody uses ran in writing now.
Examples of RUN
- How fast can you run?
- He runs faster than anyone else on the team.
- She ran up the stairs to get her jacket.
- We ran for the train—but missed it.
- I heard her scream and ran to help.
- She ran to me for help.
- The dog ran away from me.
- The dog ran toward me.
- When I called the dog, he came running.
- Don't expect me to come running every time you want something. I'm not your servant.
Origin of RUN
Middle English ronnen, alteration of rinnen, v.i. (from Old English iernan, rinnan & Old Norse rinna) & of rennen, v.t., from Old Norse renna; akin to Old High German rinnan, v.i., to run, Sanskrit riṇāti he causes to flow, and probably to Latin rivus stream
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to RUN
Related Words: bound, canter, leap, lope, shag, skip, spring; barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb [slang], bowl, breeze, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, course, foot (it), hare, hasten, hie, hoof (it), hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurry, hurtle, hustle, jet, leg (it), pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, rush, rustle, shoot, speed, tear, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom; nip, patter, scoot, scurry, scuttle, step (along)
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