26984 words

runs

78 definitions • 169 examples
1
(of people and some animals) to move along, faster than walking, by taking quick steps in which each foot is lifted before the next foot touches the ground:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] The children had to run to keep up with their father.
I can run a mile in five minutes.
run away/off The sheep ran away/off in fright.
run up to A little girl ran up to (= came quickly beside) me, crying for her daddy.
run against In the semi-final she will be running against her nearest rival.
The first two races will be run (= will happen) in 20 minutes.
2
If you run an animal in a race, you cause it to take part:

Examples:

run something in something Thompson Stables are running three horses in the next race.
3
to go quickly or in a hurry:

Examples:

Would you run to the post office and get me some stamps?
You don't put on weight when you spend all day running around after small children.
4
to run fast in order to get or avoid something:

Examples:

I ran for the bus but it drove off.
5
to move your legs as if running, while you stay in one place:

Examples:

I run on the spot to warm up before I start training.
6
in American football, to carry the ball towards the opponent's goal :

Examples:

It might be better to run the ball more against this defence instead of trying to pass it.
He had a good game, running for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
7
to (cause something to) travel, move, or continue in a particular way:

Examples:

Trains are still running, despite the snow.
A bus runs (= goes on a particular route at particular times) three times a day into town.
Skis are waxed on the bottom so that they run smoothly over the snow.
run across/into/through The route/railway/road runs (= goes) across the border/into Italy/through the mountains.
runs up A climbing rose bush runs (= grows) up the side of the door.
run around/round There's a beautiful cornice running around/round all the ceilings.
runs for The film runs (= lasts) for two hours.
The show/course/film runs (= continues) for another week.
A magazine subscription usually only runs (= can be used) for one year.
run late Buses are running an hour late, because of an earlier accident.
run off The truck's brakes failed and it ran (= went) off the road.
run on Trains run on rails (= move along on top of them).
run through Electricity is running through (= moving along within) this cable.
An angry muttering ran through (= went through) the crowd.
A shiver of fear ran through his (body).
run something along/down something She ran her finger along/down the page/list, looking for her name.
run something back/forwards Could you run the tape/film/video back/forwards, please?
run someone home/to something Could you possibly run me (= take me in your car) home/to the station?
run something through something He ran (= pushed) his fingers through his hair and looked up at me.
8
to (cause something to) operate:

Examples:

Keep clear of the machines while they're running.
The government took desperate measures to keep the economy running.
Do you know how to run this sort of machinery?
The mechanic asked me to run the engine (= switch it on and allow it to work) for a minute.
up and running They had the new computer system up and running (= working) within an hour.
We've run the computer program, but nothing happens.
We're running (= doing) an experiment.
run on What version of Android is your app running on?
The football team asked the coach which play they should run next.
9
to be in control of something:

Examples:

He's been running a restaurant/his own company since he left school.
The local college runs (= provides) a course in self-defence.
a well-run/badly-run organization/business/course
10

Examples:

Ruth runs a tight ship and has no time for shirkers.
11
If you run a car, you own one, drive it, and pay for the costs:

Examples:

I can't afford to run a car.
12
to organize the way you live or work:

Examples:

Some people run their lives according to the movements of the stars.
13
to (cause something to) flow or produce liquid :

Examples:

run down I can feel trickles of sweat running down my neck.
Don't cry, or your make-up will run (= become liquid and move down your face).
run with The walls were running with damp.
run (down) to/into The river runs (down) to/into the sea.
The hot tap is running cold (= producing cold water)!
run something on something I turned the tap on and ran some cold water on the burn.
[ + two objects ] I'll run you a hot bath (= fill a bath with water for you).
My nose and eyes have been running all week because of hay fever.
run into figurative After twelve hours at her computer, the words began to run into one another (= seem mixed together).
14
(of colours in clothes, etc.) to come out or spread:

Examples:

I must have washed my dress at too high a temperature, because the colour has run.
run into If the first layer isn't dry before you add the next one, the colours will run into each other (= mix).
15
to be or become:

Examples:

run deep Differences between the two sides run deep (= are serious).
run dry The river/reservoir/well ran dry (= its supply of water finished).
run low Supplies are running low (= there's not much left).
run short (of) We're beginning to run short of money/Money is beginning to run short (= there's not much left).
16
If tights (= thin clothing that covers the legs) run, a long, thin hole appears in them:

Examples:

Oh no, my tights have run!
17
to show something in a newspaper or magazine, on television, etc.:

Examples:

All the newspapers ran (= printed) stories about the new peace talks.
Channel 4 is running a series on the unfairness of the legal system.
18
to appear in a newspaper, magazine, etc. or to be shown on television:

Examples:

The story orginally ran in the December 4th issue of the newspaper.
The TV series ran in the US between 1974 and 1983.
19
If a film is running at a particular place, you can see it there:

Examples:

What's running at the Metro this week?
20
to compete as a candidate in an election:

Examples:

Mrs Thatcher wanted to run a fourth time.
run against He's going to run against Smith in the election.
run for I think she might run for re-election.
run on He ran on a campaign of reducing crime (= he said he would reduce crime if elected).
21
to suggest and support someone as a candidate (= someone competing to get a job or elected position):

Examples:

run someone for something He wanted to run her for district attorney of Brooklyn.
At the time, some thought running Obama for president in 2008 was premature.
22

Examples:

She is considering running for office.
23
to take guns or drugs illegally from one place to another:

Examples:

run something across something He was arrested for running drugs across the border.
run something into something Gangs are running guns into the city, and that is increasing violent crime.
24
the action of running, especially for exercise:

Examples:

go for/do a run We go for/do a three-mile run every evening after work.
at a run If you set off at a run (= running), you'll be exhausted later.
25
a journey:

Examples:

The number of aircraft on the New York-Moscow run is being increased.
run (out) old-fashioned Let's go for a run (out) in the car somewhere.
The plane swooped in on its bombing run.
26
the period during which a play is performed:

Examples:

The musical's London run was a disaster.
They're doing a run at the Cambridge Playhouse.
27
a situation in which many people suddenly buy a particular product:

Examples:

run on There's been a run on umbrellas because of all this rain.
28
a situation in which many people suddenly sell a particular product:

Examples:

run on A sudden run on the dollar has lowered its value.
29
A run of something is a continuous period during which it lasts or is repeated:

Examples:

a run of successes/defeats/bad luck
30
a series of notes of a scale played or sung quickly one after the other:

Examples:

The singer's vocal runs sounded effortless.
31
the usual type of something:

Examples:

Their food is the general run of hotel cooking.
32

Examples:

a sheep/chicken/hen run
33
in cricket and baseball, a single point, scored by running from one place to another:

Examples:

England need 105 runs to win the game.
The pitcher allowed three runs in just two innings.
34
a long, vertical hole in tights and stockings:

Examples:

I've got a run in my tights from the nail on my chair.
35
a condition of the bowels in which the contents are passed out of the body too often and in a form that is too liquid
36
to move your legs faster than when walking, with the weight of your body pressing forward:

Examples:

[ I ] They ran for the bus and got there just in time.
[ T ] Hugh runs five miles a day.
[ I ] We want a place with a big backyard with room for the kids to run around.
[ I ] fig. I’ve got to run now (= hurry away) because I’m late for my appointment.
37
to travel or go, to move something, or to be positioned in a particular way:

Examples:

[ I ] The bus runs three times a day between here and Albuquerque.
[ I ] I’m going to run down to the bank to cash my check.
[ I ] Trains are running twenty minutes late because of the weather.
[ I ] The car skidded on the ice and ran off the road.
[ I ] A shiver of fear ran through her.
[ T ] John said he’d run me back to school (= take me there in his car).
[ I ] A deep creek runs through the property.
[ I ] The road runs along the coast.
38
If you run your finger or hand over something, you move it quickly:

Examples:

[ T ] She ran her fingers along the edge of the desk.
39
If you run something through your hair, you move it quickly and easily:

Examples:

[ T ] He ran a comb through his hair.
40
If a driver or a vehicle runs a sign or signal to stop, the vehicle continues without stopping:

Examples:

[ T ] Our taxi ran a red light and a truck rammed us in the side.
41
to manage or operate something:

Examples:

[ T ] She runs the business out of her home.
[ I ] She left the engine running while she went into the store.
[ T ] Can you run both of these programs at once?
[ T ] They’re running tests on his heart functions.
42
If something runs on a particular type of energy, it uses that type of energy to operate:

Examples:

[ I ] Some calculators run on solar power .
43
to cause a liquid to flow, or to produce a liquid that flows:

Examples:

[ T ] He ran a little cold water into the sink.
[ I ] He has a cold and his nose is running.
[ I ] Tears were running down her face.
44
(of colors) to come out of material and mix with other colors, so that the original colors are lost:

Examples:

If you wash the dress in hot water, the colors will run.
45
to try to get elected; be a candidate:

Examples:

Kutukas ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
46
to be, become, or continue in a particular way:

Examples:

[ L ] The doctor is running a bit late.
[ L ] We’re running low on gas.
[ I always + adv/prep ] Inflation is running at 4%.
[ I always + adv/prep ] The show ran on Broadway for six weeks before closing.
47
to show something in a newspaper or magazine, or on television:

Examples:

Both parties are already running campaign ads.
48
(of cloth, esp. stockings (= thin, tight-fitting clothing for a woman’s feet and legs)) to develop a long vertical hole:

Examples:

49
(in baseball) a single point, scored by touching each of the four bases (= positions on a square) in the correct order
50
a long, vertical hole in particular types of cloth, esp. stockings (= thin, tight-fitting clothing for a woman’s feet and legs)
51
a trip:

Examples:

The train made its final run in 1986.
52
a period during which something happens or continues:

Examples:

The movie starts a two-week run tonight.
53
to operate, or make something operate:

Examples:

Keep clear of the fans while they're running.
Do you know how to run this sort of machinery?
We've run the computer program, but nothing happens.
54
to be in control of or manage something:

Examples:

He's been running his own company since he left school.
She left me to run the store while she went on her lunch break.
well-run/poorly-run
government-run/family-run/student-run The restaurant is a family-run business.
privately-run/publicly-run/professionally-run
55
to travel or move in a particular way, or cause something to do this:

Examples:

Trains are still running, despite the snow.
A bus runs into town three times a day.
We're running four more trains than usual to accommodate the high number of passengers.
56
to continue or happen, or cause something to continue or happen in a particular way:

Examples:

A magazine subscription usually runs for one year.
We'll be running the course for another year.
57
to take something to a person or place:

Examples:

run sth over/out/down, etc. to sb/sth Can you run these orders over to the warehouse, please?
58
to be or continue at or near a particular level:

Examples:

run at sth Inflation has been running at 2% for the past year.
Supplies are running low.
59
to show something in a newspaper or magazine, on television, etc.:

Examples:

They ran the advertisement on all the major networks for a month.
60
to try to be elected to government or other position in an election:

Examples:

run for sth He ran for state Attorney General in 2010.
Meyers decided to run for office again the following year.
run against sb She is running against a multi-millionaire businessman.
61
to look through records to find out facts about someone or something:

Examples:

62
to perform a scientific examination to determine if something works, someone is healthy, etc.:

Examples:

We ran performance tests on the preproduction machine, which performed well.
Doctors ran tests to try to determine if the workers' health problems were work-related.
63
if a government runs a deficit or surplus, it has less or more money in its accounts than it needs:

Examples:

The previous government was happy to run a huge deficit for years.
64
to be in a situation in which there is the possibility that something bad might happen:

Examples:

A company without good customer service runs the risk of losing its customers' good will.
65

Examples:

The woman who manages the post room runs a very tight ship.
66
to look quickly at the whole of something:

Examples:

Would you mind running your eye over this agreement before I sign it?
67
to be unable to get to a place by the agreed or expected time
68
to be very active without achieving any good results:

Examples:

Peter's been running round in circles since half his department resigned.
69
to have no time left to finish something or get to a place:

Examples:

We're running out of time - the report has to be ready for the meeting tonight.
70
to have a low supply of something:

Examples:

Forecasting is crucial: you don't want to run short or have a warehouse of unsold product.
The online travel site denies that it is running short of cash.
71

Examples:

She ran the numbers and decided to re-finance her mortgage.
72
to examine something to see if it is good enough or right for a particular purpose:

Examples:

A number of bidders are understood to be running the rule over the company.
73
to be the leader in control of a group of people doing something:

Examples:

If you need help, ask Mark - he's running the show.
74
all of a particular product made at one time:

Examples:

The first run of 50,000 units sold out in a week.
The book had an initial print run of 3,000 copies.
Smaller production runs are likely to be needed.
75
a period when a series of good things or bad things happen:

Examples:

a run of good/bad luck We've had quite a run of good luck this month.
76
a period when people buy more of a particular product than usual:

Examples:

The warm weather sparked a run on air conditioners.
77
a period when many people suddenly sell more of a particular currency than usual:

Examples:

a run on the dollar/pound/yen A sudden run on the dollar has lowered its value.
78
a period when many people take their money out of a bank because they are afraid the bank will go out of business:

Examples:

A run on the bank by customers drained about $133 million.

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