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run

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verb American English pronunciation: run /rʌn/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyrun
he/she/itruns
present participlerunning
past tenseran
past participlerun
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive] to move quickly to a place using your legs and feet

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

    run across/into/down etc.:

    A cat ran across the road in front of me.

    run for cover/shelter:

    We ran for shelter as soon as the rain started.

    run to:

    I ran to the door and opened it.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to run in a race

      He's running the hundred yard dash.

      run in:

      I'd love to run in the Boston Marathon.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    2. b.
      [transitive] [usually passive] to have a race in a particular place or at a particular time

      The race will be run at 3 p.m.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    3. c.
      [transitive] to run a particular distance

      How quickly can you run a mile?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  2. 2
    [transitive] to control and organize something such as a business, organization, or event

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

    run a campaign:

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      to organize and provide something such as a service or class

      The shelter is run entirely by volunteers.

      The bus company runs a regular airport shuttle service.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if a machine or engine runs, or if you run it, it is working

    Don't leave the engine running.

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

    run on gas/electricity etc.:

    Does your car run on premium or unleaded?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] computing to start or to use a computer program

      Try running the program again and see if it works.

      run on:

      The software will run on any PC.

      run under:

      a spreadsheet package that runs under Windows or Unix

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  4. 4
    [intransitive] if a liquid runs somewhere, it flows there
    run down/from etc.:

    Tears were running down his face.

    Blood ran from a wound in her leg.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      [intransitive] if a river runs somewhere, it flows there
      run into/to/from etc.:

      The Mississippi runs into the Gulf of Mexico.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    2. b.
      [intransitive/transitive] if a faucet runs, or if you run it, water comes out of it
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    3. c.
      [intransitive] if something is running with a liquid, the liquid is flowing down it
      run with:

      His back was running with sweat.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    4. d.
      [transitive] to fill a bath or other container with water from a faucet

      I ran a sink full of cold water.

      run a bath:

      Dad offered to run a bath for me.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  5. 5
    [intransitive] to try to be elected to an official job or position

    How many candidates are running?

    run for:

    Jackson announced his intention to run for president.

    run against:

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  6. 6
    [intransitive] if a bus, train, etc. runs, it travels somewhere at regular times

    The train only runs on the weekend.

    run on time (=arrive and leave at the right time):

    The trains never seem to run on time.

    be running 10 minutes/two hours etc. late:

    The shuttle was running twenty minutes late.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      [transitive] informal to take someone somewhere in your car
      run someone to/into:

      John kindly offered to run me into town.

      run someone there/home/back etc.:

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

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    2. b.
      [intransitive] if a vehicle runs somewhere, it moves there because the driver is not controlling it properly
      run into/down/through etc.:

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

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  7. 7
    [intransitive] if a play, movie, or television program runs, it continues to be performed or shown

    a soap opera that has been running for many years

    How long did the movie run for?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      if an official agreement or document runs until a particular time, you can continue to use it until that date

      The contract only has another couple of months to run.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  8. 8
    [intransitive] [usually progressive] to reach a particular amount or rate

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

    run at:

    Inflation is running at 3%.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  9. 9
    [transitive] to move or rub something along something else

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

    run something through/across/down something:

    Fred ran his fingers gently through her hair.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  10. 10
    [intransitive] if something such as a road or wall runs somewhere, it exists in that place
    run along/around/through etc.:

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

    run parallel to something:

    A mountain range runs parallel to the western border.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  11. 11
    [transitive] to put something such as a wire or thread somewhere
    run something under/behind/through etc. something:

    You could run the cable behind the desk.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  12. 12
    [intransitive] if a feeling runs through you, you experience it

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
    1. a.
      to have a particular thought

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

      run to:

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

      something runs through your mind/head (=you have a particular thought or idea):

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

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  15. 15
    [transitive] to bring someone or something illegally into a country

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  16. 16
    [intransitive] to grow in a particular direction
    run up/over:

    Ivy runs up the walls of the house.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  17. 17
    [intransitive] to move smoothly

    The curtains run on these tracks.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run
  18. 18
    [intransitive] if a story, argument, etc. runs in a particular way, this is what happens or what someone says

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of run

phrases

This is the American English definition of run. View British English definition of run.

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