run

/rən/

/rən/

Other forms: ran; running; runs

When you run, you move along quickly, and for a long time if you're running a marathon. You can also run a campaign or a business — you make them function.

There are plenty of meanings for run. If you're plotting your escape from the Tower of London, you can "make a run for it," and if you're a baseball player, you're a hero if you make a home run. When your play opens on Broadway, you hope it will have many performances — "a long run" — and if you're lucky, the New York Times will run a rave review.

Definitions of run

1. verb

   move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
   “Don't run--you'll be out of breath”

   “The children ran to the store”

   types:

   clip, jog, trot

   run at a moderately swift pace

   scamper, scurry, scuttle, skitter

   move about or proceed hurriedly

   romp

   run easily and fairly fast

   run bases

   run around the bases, in baseball

   streak

   run naked in a public place

   outrun

   run faster than

   jog

   run for exercise

   sprint

   run very fast, usually for a short distance

   lope

   run easily

   rush

   run with the ball, in football

   hare

   run quickly, like a hare

   crab

   scurry sideways like a crab

   type of:

   hurry, speed, travel rapidly, zip

   move very fast
2. verb

   travel rapidly, by any (unspecified) means
   “Run to the store!”

   type of:

   go, locomote, move, travel

   change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
3. verb

   cover by running; run a certain distance
   “She ran 10 miles that day”

   type of:

   go across, go through, pass

   go across or through
4. verb

   compete in a race
   “he is running the Marathon this year”

   synonyms: race

   types:

   show

   finish third or better in a horse or dog race

   place

   finish second or better in a horse or dog race

   boat-race

   participate in a boat race

   horse-race

   compete in a horse race

   campaign

   run, stand, or compete for an office or a position

   speed skate

   race on skates

   jockey

   ride a racehorse as a professional jockey

   stump

   travel through a district and make political speeches

   rerun

   run again for office

   whistlestop

   tour the country in order to solicit votes for an election

   cross-file, register

   have one's name listed as a candidate for several parties

   type of:

   compete, contend, vie

   compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
5. verb

   move about freely and without restraint, or act as if running around in an uncontrolled way
   “who are these people running around in the building?”

   “She runs around telling everyone of her troubles”

   “let the dogs run free”

   type of:

   go, locomote, move, travel

   change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
6. verb

   flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
   “If you see this man, run!”

   synonyms: break away, bunk, escape, fly the coop, head for the hills, hightail it, lam, run away, scarper, scat, take to the woods, turn tail

   types:

   flee, fly, take flight

   run away quickly

   skedaddle

   run away, as if in a panic

   break

   make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing

   stampede

   run away in a stampede

   abscond, absquatulate, bolt, decamp, go off, make off, run off

   run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along

   elope, run off

   run away secretly with one's beloved

   break loose, escape, get away

   run away from confinement

   high-tail

   retreat at full speed

   defect, desert

   desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army

   type of:

   go away, go forth, leave

   go away from a place
7. verb

   travel a route regularly
   synonyms: ply

   black market

   deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor

   type of:

   jaunt, travel, trip

   make a trip for pleasure
8. verb

   sail before the wind
   type of:

   sail

   travel on water propelled by wind
9. verb

   cause an animal to move fast
   “run the dogs”

   synonyms:

   hunt, hunt down, track down

   pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

   type of:

   displace, move

   cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense
10. verb

    progress by being changed
    “run through your presentation before the meeting”

    synonyms: go, move

    type of:

    change

    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
11. verb

    pass over, across, or through
    “She ran her fingers along the carved figurine”

    synonyms: draw, guide, pass

    draw, string, thread

    thread on or as if on a string

    lead

    cause something to pass or lead somewhere

    types:

    rub

    move over something with pressure

    thread

    pass through or into

    thread

    pass a thread through

    brush

    rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

    pumice

    rub with pumice, in order to clean or to smoothen

    gauge

    rub to a uniform size

    puree, strain

    rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender

    rosin

    rub rosin onto

    sponge down, sponge off

    clean with a sponge, by rubbing

    worry

    touch or rub constantly

    scour, scrub

    clean with hard rubbing

    abrade, scour

    rub hard or scrub

    blur, smear, smudge, smutch

    make a smudge on; soil by smudging

    grate, scrape

    scratch repeatedly

    pass over, wipe

    rub with a circular motion

    grate

    reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
12. verb

    cause something to pass or lead somewhere
    “Run the wire behind the cabinet”

    synonyms: lead

    draw, guide, pass

    pass over, across, or through

    range

    change or be different within limits

    type of:

    make pass, pass

    cause to pass
13. verb

    set animals loose to graze
    type of:

    free, liberate, loose, release, unloose, unloosen

    grant freedom to; free from confinement
14. verb

    keep company
    synonyms: consort

    type of:

    accompany

    go or travel along with
15. verb

    pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
    “The dogs are running deer”

    synonyms: hunt, hunt down, track down

    hunt

    search (an area) for prey

    types:

    snipe

    hunt or shoot snipe

    whale

    hunt for whales

    ambush, still-hunt

    hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing

    turtle

    hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation

    drive

    (hunting) chase from cover into more open ground

    drive

    (hunting) search for game

    rabbit

    hunt rabbits

    fowl

    hunt fowl in the forest

    poach

    hunt illegally

    seal

    hunt seals

    ferret

    hunt with ferrets

    course

    hunt with hounds

    foxhunt

    hunt foxes, on horseback and with dogs

    jack, jacklight

    hunt with a jacklight

    hawk

    hunt with hawks

    falcon

    hunt with falcons

    fowl

    hunt fowl

    forage, scrounge

    collect or look around for (food)

    grouse

    hunt grouse

    rustle

    forage food

    type of:

    capture, catch

    capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
16. noun

    the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace
    “he broke into a run”

    “his daily run keeps him fit”

    synonyms: running

    types:

    dash, sprint

    a quick run

    break

    a sudden dash

    type of:

    locomotion, travel

    self-propelled movement
17. noun

    a race run on foot
    “she broke the record for the half-mile run”

    synonyms: foot race, footrace

    types:

    fun run, funrun

    a footrace run for fun (often including runners who are sponsored for a charity)

    marathon

    a foot race of 26 miles and 385 yards

    obstacle race

    a race in which competitors must negotiate obstacles

    steeplechase

    a footrace of usually 3000 meters over a closed track with hurdles and a water jump

    track event

    a footrace performed on a track (indoor or outdoor)

    dash

    a footrace run at top speed

    hurdle race, hurdles, hurdling

    a footrace in which contestants must negotiate a series of hurdles

    mile

    a footrace extending one mile

    type of:

    race

    a contest of speed
18. noun

    a regular trip
    “the ship made its run in record time”

    type of:

    trip

    a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
19. noun

    a short trip
    “take a run into town”

    type of:

    trip

    a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
20. verb

    stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    “Service runs all the way to Cranbury”

    synonyms: extend, go, lead, pass

    range

    change or be different within limits

    types:

    come

    extend or reach

    radiate, ray

    extend or spread outward from a center or focus or inward towards a center

    go deep, go far

    extend in importance or range

    type of:

    be

    occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
21. verb

    have a particular form
    “the story or argument runs as follows”

    synonyms: go

    type of:

    be

    have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
22. verb

    have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    “These dresses run small”

    synonyms: be given, incline, lean, tend

    types:

    take kindly to

    be willing or inclined to accept

    suffer

    be given to

    gravitate

    move toward

    type of:

    be

    have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
23. verb

    change from one state to another
    “run amok”

    “run rogue”

    “run riot”

    type of:

    become, get, go, wax

    enter or assume a certain state or condition
24. verb

    change or be different within limits
    “Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent”

    synonyms: range

    extend, go, lead, pass

    stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point

    lead

    cause something to pass or lead somewhere

    type of:

    be

    have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
25. verb

    continue to exist
    synonyms: die hard, endure, persist, prevail

    types:

    carry over

    transfer or persist from one stage or sphere of activity to another

    reverberate

    have a long or continuing effect

    type of:

    continue

    exist over a prolonged period of time
26. verb

    occur persistently
    “Musical talent runs in the family”

    synonyms:

    die hard, endure, persist, prevail

    continue to exist

    type of:

    occur

    be found to exist
27. verb

    extend or continue for a certain period of time
    “The film runs 5 hours”

    synonyms: run for

    type of:

    endure, last

    persist for a specified period of time
28. verb

    make without a miss
    type of:

    bring home the bacon, come through, deliver the goods, succeed, win

    attain success or reach a desired goal
29. noun

    an unbroken chronological sequence
    “the play had a long run on Broadway”

    “the team enjoyed a brief run of victories”

    type of:

    chronological sequence, chronological succession, sequence, succession, successiveness

    a following of one thing after another in time
30. noun

    an unbroken series of events
    “Nicklaus had a run of birdies”

    synonyms: streak

    types:

    losing streak

    a streak of losses

    winning streak

    a streak of wins

    type of:

    succession

    a group of people or things arranged or following in order
31. noun

    unrestricted freedom to use
    “he has the run of the house”

    type of:

    liberty

    freedom of choice
32. verb

    carry out
    “run an errand”

    type of:

    accomplish, action, carry out, carry through, execute, fulfil, fulfill

    put in effect
33. verb

    carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
    “Run the dishwasher”

    “run a new program on the Mac”

    synonyms: execute

    play

    cause to emit recorded audio or video

    types:

    step

    cause (a computer) to execute a single command

    type of:

    apply, enforce, implement

    ensure observance of laws and rules
34. verb

    cause to perform
    “run a subject”

    “run a process”

    synonyms:

    play

    cause to emit recorded audio or video

    types:

    rerun

    cause to perform again

    type of:

    process, treat

    subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
35. verb

    direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
    “She is running a relief operation in the Sudan”

    synonyms: operate

    types:

    financier

    conduct financial operations, often in an unethical manner

    work

    operate in or through

    block

    run on a block system

    warm up

    run until the normal working temperature is reached

    type of:

    direct

    be in charge of
36. verb

    perform as expected when applied
    “Does this old car still run well?”

    synonyms: function, go, operate, work

    work

    operate in or through

    types:

    double

    do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions

    roll

    begin operating or running

    cut

    function as a cutting instrument

    serve, service

    be used by; as of a utility
37. verb

    be operating, running or functioning
    “The car is still running--turn it off!”

    synonyms:

    function, go, operate, work

    perform as expected when applied

    antonyms:

    idle

    run disconnected or idle

    type of:

    function, go, operate, work

    perform as expected when applied
38. verb

    be affected by; be subjected to
    “run a temperature”

    “run a risk”

    type of:

    incur

    make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
39. verb

    include as the content; broadcast or publicize
    “We ran the ad three times”

    synonyms: carry

    type of:

    broadcast, circularise, circularize, circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, distribute, pass around, propagate, spread

    cause to become widely known
40. verb

    cause to emit recorded audio or video
    “They ran the tapes over and over again”

    synonyms: play

    play

    emit recorded sound

    execute

    carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine
41. verb

    deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor
    synonyms: black market

    ply

    travel a route regularly

    type of:

    merchandise, trade

    engage in the trade of
42. noun

    the production achieved during a continuous period of operation (of a machine or factory etc.)
    “a daily run of 100,000 gallons of paint”

    type of:

    indefinite quantity

    an estimated quantity
43. noun

    the continuous period of time during which something (a machine or a factory) operates or continues in operation
    “the assembly line was on a 12-hour run”

    types:

    press run, print run

    the period that presses run to produce an issue of a newspaper

    run-time

    (computer science) the length of time it takes to execute a software program

    split run

    a print run of a newspaper during which some articles or advertisements are changed to produce a different edition

    type of:

    period, period of time, time period

    an amount of time
44. noun

    the act of testing something
    synonyms: test, trial

    types:

    assay

    a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.

    clinical test, clinical trial

    a rigorously controlled test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on human subjects; in the United States it is conducted under the direction of the FDA before being made available for general clinical use

    double blind

    a test procedure in which the identity of those receiving the intervention is concealed from both the administrators and the subjects until after the test is completed; designed to reduce or eliminate bias in the results

    preclinical phase, preclinical test, preclinical trial

    a laboratory test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on animal subjects; conducted to gather evidence justifying a clinical trial

    audition, tryout

    a test of the suitability of a performer

    field trial

    a test of young hunting dogs to determine their skill in pointing and retrieving

    fitting, try-on, trying on

    putting clothes on to see whether they fit

    MOT, MOT test, Ministry of Transportation test

    a compulsory annual test of older motor vehicles for safety and exhaust fumes

    pilot program, pilot project

    activity planned as a test or trial

    Snellen test

    a test of visual acuity using a Snellen chart

    ELISA, enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay

    an assay that relies on an enzymatic conversion reaction and is used to detect the presence of specific substances (such as enzymes or viruses or antibodies or bacteria)

    immunohistochemistry

    an assay that shows specific antigens in tissues by the use of markers that are either fluorescent dyes or enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase)

    phase I, phase I clinical trial

    a clinical trial on a few persons to determine the safety of a new drug or invasive medical device; for drugs, dosage or toxicity limits should be obtained

    phase II, phase II clinical trial

    a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored

    phase III, phase III clinical trial

    a large clinical trial of a treatment or drug that in phase I and phase II has been shown to be efficacious with tolerable side effects; after successful conclusion of these clinical trials it will receive formal approval from the FDA

    phase IV, phase IV clinical trial

    sometimes the FDA approves a drug for general use but requires the manufacturer to continue to monitor its effects; during this phase the drug may be tried on slightly different patient populations than those studied in earlier trials

    screen test

    a filmed audition of an actor or actress

    diagnostic assay, diagnostic test

    an assay conducted for diagnostic purposes

    bio-assay, bioassay

    appraisal of the biological activity of a substance by testing its effect on an organism and comparing the result with some agreed standard

    type of:

    attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try

    earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
45. verb

    move along, of liquids
    synonyms: course, feed, flow

    types:

    flush

    flow freely

    gush, jet

    issue in a jet; come out in a jet; stream or spring forth

    surge, tide

    rise or move forward

    circulate

    move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point

    eddy, purl, swirl, whirl, whirlpool

    flow in a circular current, of liquids

    run off, waste

    run off as waste

    run down

    move downward

    pour

    flow in a spurt

    run out, spill

    flow, run or fall out and become lost

    stream, well out

    flow freely and abundantly

    dribble, filter, trickle

    run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream

    drain, run out

    flow off gradually

    ooze, seep

    pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings

    gutter

    flow in small streams

    flush down, wash down

    flow freely

    ventilate

    circulate through and freshen

    spin

    stream in jets, of liquids

    gush, spirt, spout, spurt

    gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

    regurgitate

    pour or rush back

    leach, percolate

    permeate or penetrate gradually

    brim over, overflow, overrun, run over, well over

    flow or run over (a limit or brim)

    type of:

    move

    move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
46. verb

    be diffused
    “These dyes and colors are guaranteed not to run”

    synonyms: bleed

    melt, melt down

    reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating

    types:

    crock

    release color when rubbed, of badly dyed fabric

    type of:

    diffuse, fan out, spread, spread out

    move outward
47. verb

    reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
    synonyms: melt, melt down

    bleed

    be diffused

    types:

    fuse

    make liquid or plastic by heating

    render, try

    melt (fat or lard) in order to separate out impurities

    type of:

    break up, dissolve, resolve

    cause to go into a solution
48. noun

    a small stream
    synonyms: rill, rivulet, runnel, streamlet

    type of:

    stream, watercourse

    a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
49. noun

    the pouring forth of a fluid
    synonyms: discharge, outpouring

    types:

    jet, spirt, spurt, squirt

    the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)

    escape, leak, leakage, outflow

    the discharge of a fluid from some container

    spray

    a jet of vapor

    spritz

    a quick squirt of some liquid (usually carbonated water)

    type of:

    flow, flowing

    the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
50. verb

    run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
    “Who's running for treasurer this year?”

    synonyms: campaign

    types:

    stump

    travel through a district and make political speeches

    rerun

    run again for office

    whistlestop

    tour the country in order to solicit votes for an election

    cross-file, register

    have one's name listed as a candidate for several parties

    slate

    enter on a list or slate for an election

    type of:

    race

    compete in a race
51. noun

    a race between candidates for elective office
    “he is raising money for a Senate run”

    synonyms: campaign, political campaign

    types:

    campaign for governor, governor's race

    a race for election to the governorship

    senate campaign, senate race

    a race for election to the senate

    type of:

    race

    any competition
52. verb

    run with the ball; in such sports as football
53. noun

    (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team
    “the defensive line braced to stop the run”

    “the coach put great emphasis on running”

    synonyms: running, running game, running play

    types:

    draw, draw play

    (American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage

    end run, sweep

    (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line

    return

    (American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble

    reverse

    (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction

    rush, rushing

    (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

    double reverse

    (American football) a running play in which a first reverse is followed by a second reverse

    type of:

    football play

    (American football) a play by the offensive team
54. noun

    a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
    “the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th”

    synonyms: tally

    types:

    earned run

    a run that was not scored as the result of an error by the other team

    unearned run

    a run that was scored as a result of an error by the other team

    rbi, run batted in

    a run that is the result of the batter's performance

    type of:

    score

    the act of scoring in a game or sport
55. verb

    become undone
    synonyms: unravel

    ladder

    come unraveled or undone as if by snagging

    type of:

    disintegrate

    break into parts or components or lose cohesion or unity
56. verb

    come unraveled or undone as if by snagging
    “Her nylons were running”

    synonyms: ladder

    unravel

    become undone

    type of:

    break, come apart, fall apart, separate, split up

    become separated into pieces or fragments
57. noun

    a row of unravelled stitches
    “she got a run in her stocking”

    synonyms: ladder, ravel

    type of:

    damage, harm, impairment

    the occurrence of a change for the worse