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run - 18 dictionary results
Run Faster & Jump Higher.
 Run Faster 40. Jump Higher. Used by world class athletes! Proven.
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run

  [ruhn] verb, ran, run, run⋅ning, noun, adjective
Use run in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. 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.
2. to move with haste; act quickly: Run upstairs and get the iodine.
3. to depart quickly; take to flight; flee or escape: to run from danger.
4. to have recourse for aid, support, comfort, etc.: He shouldn't run to his parents with every little problem.
5. 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.
6. to go around, rove, or ramble without restraint (often fol. by about): to run about in the park.
7. 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.
8. Sports.
a. to take part in a race or contest.
b. to finish in a race or contest in a certain numerical position: The horse ran second.
9. to be or campaign as a candidate for election.
10. to migrate, as fish: to run in huge shoals.
11. to migrate upstream or inshore from deep water to spawn.
12. to move under continuing power or force, as of the wind, a motor, etc.: The car ran along the highway.
13. (of a ship, automobile, etc.) to be sailed or driven from a safe, proper, or given route: The ship ran aground.
14. to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: This bus runs between New Haven and Hartford.
15. to move, glide, turn, rotate, or pass easily, freely, or smoothly: A rope runs in a pulley.
16. to creep, trail, or climb, as growing vines: The ivy ran up the side of the house.
17. to come undone or to unravel, as stitches or a fabric: these stockings run easily.
18. to flow, as a liquid: Let the water run before you drink it.
19. to flow along, esp. strongly, as a stream or the sea: The rapids ran over the rocks.
20. to empty or transfer contents: The river ran into the sea.
21. 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.
22. to melt and flow or drip: Wax ran down the burning candle.
23. 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.
24. to spread on being applied to a surface, as a liquid: Fresh paint ran over the window molding onto the pane.
25. to spread over a material when exposed to moisture: The dyes in this fabric are guaranteed not to run in washing.
26. to undergo a spreading of colors: materials that run when washed.
27. to flow forth as a discharge: Tears ran from her eyes.
28. to discharge or give passage to a liquid or fluid: Her eyes ran with tears.
29. to operate or function: How does your new watch run? Cars run on gasoline.
30. to be in operation: the noise of a dishwasher running.
31. to continue in operation: The furnace runs most of the day.
32. to elapse; pass or go by, as time: Time is running out, and we must hurry.
33. to pass into or meet with a certain state or condition: to run into debt; to run into trouble.
34. to get or become: The well ran dry.
35. to amount; total: The bill ran to $100.
36. to be stated or worded in a certain manner: The minutes of the last meeting run as follows.
37. Commerce.
a. to accumulate, follow, or become payable in due course, as interest on a debt: Your interest runs from January 1st to December 31st.
b. to make many withdrawals in rapid succession, as from a bank.
38. Law.
a. to have legal force or effect, as a writ.
b. to continue to operate.
c. to go along with: The easement runs with the land.
39. to proceed, continue, or go: The story runs for eight pages.
40. to extend in a given direction: This road runs north to Litchfield.
41. to extend for a certain length: The unpaved section runs for eight miles.
42. to extend over a given surface: Shelves ran from floor to ceiling.
43. to be printed, as on a printing press: Two thousand copies ran before the typo was caught.
44. 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.
45. to be performed on a stage or be played continually, as a play: The play ran for two years.
46. to occur or take place continuously, as a movie: The picture runs for two hours.
47. to pass quickly: A thought ran through his mind. Her eyes ran over the room.
48. to be disseminated, circulated, or spread rapidly: The news of his promotion ran all over town.
49. to continue or return persistently; recur: The old tune ran through his mind all day.
50. 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.
51. to be or continue to be of a certain or average size, number, etc.: Potatoes are running large this year.
52. Nautical. to sail before the wind.
–verb (used with object)
53. 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.
54. to traverse (a distance) in running: He ran the mile in just over four minutes.
55. to perform, compete in, or accomplish by or as by running: to run a race; to run an errand.
56. to go about freely on or in without supervision: permitting children to run the streets.
57. to ride or cause to gallop: to run a horse across a field.
58. to enter in a race: He ran his best filly in the Florida Derby.
59. to bring into a certain state by running: He ran himself out of breath trying to keep pace.
60. to trace, track, pursue or hunt, as game: to run deer on foot.
61. to drive (an animal) or cause to go by pursuing: to run a fox to cover; to run the stallion into the barn.
62. to leave, flee, or escape from: He ran town before the robbery was discovered.
63. to cause to ply between places, as a vessel or conveyance: to run a ferry between New York and New Jersey.
64. to convey or transport, as in a vessel or vehicle: I'll run you home in my car.
65. to cause to pass quickly: He ran his eyes over the letter. She ran a comb through her hair.
66. to get past or through: to run a blockade.
67. (of drivers or cyclists) to disregard (a red or amber traffic light) and continue ahead without stopping.
68. to smuggle (contraband goods): to run guns across the border.
69. to work, operate, or drive: Can you run a tractor?
70. 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.
71. 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.
72. to keep operating or going, as a machine: They ran the presses 24 hours a day.
73. to keep (a motor) idling for an indefinite period: On cold days he would run the car motor to prevent stalling.
74. 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.
75. to sponsor, support, or nominate (a person) as a candidate for election.
76. to manage or conduct: to run a business; to run one's own life.
77. Computers. to process (the instructions in a program) by computer.
78. (in some games, as billiards) to continue or complete a series of successful strokes, shots, or the like.
79. Cards. to lead a series (of one's assured tricks or winners in a given suit): He ran the heart suit before leading spades.
80. to expose oneself to or be exposed to (a chance, risk, etc.): Through his habitual lateness he ran the danger of being fired.
81. to cause (a liquid) to flow: to run the water for a bath.
82. to fill (a tub or bath) with water: She ran a hot tub for him.
83. to give forth or flow with (a liquid); pour forth or discharge: The well ran 500 barrels of oil daily.
84. 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.
85. to cause to move easily, freely, or smoothly: to run a rope in a pulley.
86. 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.
87. to sew or use a running stitch: to run a seam.
88. to cause stitches in (a garment or fabric) to unravel or come undone: to run a stocking on a protruding nail.
89. to bring, lead, or force into a certain state or condition: He ran his troops into an ambush. They ran themselves into debt.
90. 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.
91. to graze; pasture: They run sixty head of cattle on their ranch.
92. 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.
93. Carpentry. to make (millwork) from boards.
94. to cause to fuse and flow, as metal for casting in a mold.
95. to draw, trace, or mark out, as a line: to run a line over a surface; to run a line through a word.
96. to cost (an amount or approximate amount): This watch runs $30.
97. to cost (a person) an amount or approximate amount: The car repair will run you a couple of hundred at least.
–noun
98. an act or instance, or a period of running: a five-minute run before breakfast.
99. a hurrying to or from some point, as on an errand: a run to reach the store before it closes.
100. a fleeing, esp. in great haste; flight: a run from the police who were hot on his trail.
101. a running pace: The boys set out at a run.
102. an act or instance or a period of moving rapidly, as in a boat or automobile: a run to shore before the storm.
103. distance covered, as by racing, running, or during a trip: a three-mile run.
104. 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.
105. Computers. a single instance of carrying out the sequence of instructions in a program.
106. 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.
107. a quick trip for a short stay at a place: to take a run up to New York.
108. Military.
a. bomb run.
b. any portion of a military flight during which the aircraft flies directly toward the target in order to begin its attack: a strafing run.
109. Aeronautics.
a. the rapid movement, under its own power, of an aircraft on a runway, water, or another surface.
b. a routine flight from one place to another: the evening run from New York to London.
110. beat (def. 40b).
111. 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.
112. the amount of anything produced in such a period: a daily run of 400,000 gallons of paint.
113. pressrun.
114. a line or place in knitted work where a series of stitches have slipped out or come undone: a run in a stocking.
115. onward movement, development, progress, course, etc.: the run of our business from a small store to a large chain.
116. the direction of something or of its component elements: the run of the grain of wood.
117. the particular course, order, or tendency of something: the normal run of events.
118. freedom to move around in, pass through, or use something: to allow one's guests the run of the house.
119. any rapid or easy course of progress: a run from trainee to supervisor.
120. a continuous series of performances, as of a play: a long run on Broadway.
121. an uninterrupted course of some state or condition; a spell: a run of good luck; a run of good weather.
122. a continuous extent of something, as a vein of ore.
123. an uninterrupted series or sequence of things, events, etc.: a run of 30 scoreless innings.
124. a sequence of cards in a given suit: a heart run.
125. Cribbage. a sequence of three or more cards in consecutive denominations without regard to suits.
126. any extensive continued demand, sale, or the like: a run on umbrellas on a rainy day.
127. a series of sudden and urgent demands for payment, as on a bank.
128. a period of being in demand or favor with the public: Her last book had a briefer run than her first.
129. a period during which liquid flows: They kept each oil well on an eight-hour run.
130. the amount that flows during such a period: a run of 500 barrels a day.
131. a small stream; brook; rivulet.
132. a flow or rush, as of water: The snow melting on the mountains caused a run of water into the valley.
133. a kind or class, as of goods: a superior run of blouses.
134. the typical, ordinary, or average kind: The run of 19th-century novels tends to be of a sociological nature.
135. an inclined course, as on a slope, designed or used for a specific purpose: a bobsled run; a run for training beginning skiers.
136. a fairly large enclosure within which domestic animals may move about freely; runway: a chicken run.
137. Australian. a large sheep ranch or area of grazing land.
138. the beaten track or usual trail used by deer or other wild animals; runway.
139. a trough or pipe for water or the like.
140. the movement of a number of fish upstream or inshore from deep water.
141. large numbers of fish in motion, esp. inshore from deep water or up a river for spawning: a run of salmon.
142. a number of animals moving together.
143. Music. a rapid succession of tones; roulade.
144. Building Trades.
a. the horizontal distance between the face of a wall and the ridge of a roof.
b. the distance between the first and last risers of a flight of steps or staircase.
c. the horizontal distance between successive risers on a flight of steps or a staircase.
145. Baseball. the score unit made by safely running around all the bases and reaching home plate.
146. a series of successful shots, strokes, or the like, in a game.
147. Nautical. the immersed portion of a hull abaft the middle body (opposed to entrance ).
148. the runs, (used with a singular or plural verb) Informal. diarrhea.
–adjective
149. melted or liquefied: run butter.
150. poured in a melted state; run into and cast in a mold: run bronze.
—Verb phrases
151. 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.
152. run after,
a. to follow; chase: The dog ran after the burglar.
b. to pursue or court the affections of, esp. in an aggressive manner: He ran after her until she agreed to marry him.
c. to attempt to become friendly with or part of the society of: He runs after the country-club set.
153. run along, to leave; go on one's way: I have to run along now, but I'll see you tonight. Run along—can't you see I'm busy?
154. run around,
a. (often fol. by with) to socialize; consort with: She runs around with the strangest people.
b. to be unfaithful to one's spouse or lover: It was common knowledge that he was running around.
155. run away,
a. to flee or escape; leave a place of confinement or control with the intention of never returning: He ran away from home three times.
b. Nautical. to haul on a line by walking or running steadily.
156. run away with,
a. to go away with, esp. to elope with: She ran away with a sailor.
b. to abscond with; steal: to run away with some valuable jewelry.
c. to surpass others in; be outstanding in: to run away with academic honors.
d. to overwhelm; get the better of: Sometimes his enthusiasm runs away with him.
157. run down,
a. to strike and fell or overturn, esp. to drive a vehicle into (someone): to run down an innocent pedestrian.
b. to pursue until captured; chase: The detective swore that he would run down the criminal.
c. to peruse; review: His eyes ran down the front row and stopped suddenly.
d. to cease operation; stop: My watch has run down.
e. to speak disparagingly of; criticize severely: The students were always running down their math teacher.
f. to search out; trace; find: to run down information.
g. Baseball. to tag out (a base runner) between bases.
h. Nautical. to collide with and sink (another vessel).
i. Nautical. to sail closely parallel to (a coast).
158. run in,
a. to visit casually: If I'm in the neighborhood, I may run in for a few minutes.
b. to include in a text, as something to be inserted.
c. Slang. to arrest; take to jail: They ran him in for burglary.
d. Printing. to add (matter) to text without indenting.
e. to break in (new machinery).
159. run into,
a. to crash into; collide with: She was so sleepy that she ran into a lamppost.
b. to meet accidentally: You never know whom you'll run into at a big party.
c. to amount to; total: losses that ran into millions of dollars.
d. to succeed; follow: One year ran into the next, and still there was no change.
e. to experience; encounter: The project ran into difficulty.
160. run in with, Nautical. to sail close to (a coast, vessel, etc.).
161. run off,
a. to leave quickly; depart.
b. to create or perform rapidly or easily: to run off a new song.
c. to determine the winner of (a contest, race, etc.) by a runoff.
d. to drive away; expel: to run someone off one's property.
e. to print or otherwise duplicate: Please run off 500 copies.
162. run off with,
a. to abscond with (something); steal or borrow; take: He ran off with the money. Who ran off with the pencil sharpener?
b. to elope: I hear she ran off with the Smith boy.
163. run on,
a. to continue without interruption: The account that he gave ran on at some length.
b. Printing. to add (matter) to text without indenting.
c. to add something, as at the end of a text: to run on an adverb to a dictionary entry.
164. run out,
a. to terminate; expire: My subscription ran out last month. Time ran out before we could score another touchdown.
b. to become used up: His money soon ran out.
c. to drive out; expel: They want to run him out of the country.
165. run out of, to exhaust a quantity or supply of: She couldn't bake a cake because she had run out of sugar.
166. run out on, to withdraw one's support from; abandon: No one could accuse him of running out on his friends.
167. run over,
a. to hit and knock down, esp. with a vehicle: She cried inconsolably when her cat was run over by a car.
b. to go beyond; exceed: His speech ran over the time limit.
c. to repeat; review: We'll run over that song again.
d. to overflow, as a vessel.
168. run through,
a. to pierce or stab, as with a sword: to run someone through.
b. to consume or use up recklessly; squander: to run through a fortune.
c. to practice, review, or rehearse quickly or informally: to run through a scene.
169. run up,
a. to sew rapidly: She ran up some curtains.
b. to amass; incur: running up huge debts.
c. to cause to increase; raise: to run up costs unnecessarily.
d. to build, esp. hurriedly: They are tearing down old tenement blocks and running up skyscrapers.
170. run with, Informal.
a. to proceed or go ahead with: If the stockholders like the idea, we'll run with it.
b. to carry out with enthusiasm or speed.
—Idioms
171. a run for one's money,
a. close or keen competition: The out-of-town team gave us a run for our money.
b. 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.
172. in the long run, in the course of long experience; in the end: Retribution will come, in the long run.
173. in the short run, as an immediate or temporary outcome: Recession may be averted in the short run if policy changes are made now.
174. on the run,
a. moving quickly; hurrying about: He's so busy, he's always on the run.
b. while running or in a hurry: I usually eat breakfast on the run.
c. escaping or hiding from the police: He was on the run for two years.
175. run afoul of,
a. Nautical. to collide with so as to cause damage and entanglement.
b. 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.
176. run for it, to hurry away or flee, esp. to evade something: You had better run for it before anyone else arrives.
177. run in place,
a. to go through the motions of running without leaving one's original place.
b. to exist or work without noticeable change, progress, or improvement.
178. run out of gas, Informal.
a. to exhaust or lose one's energy, enthusiasm, etc.: After the first game of tennis, I ran out of gas and had to rest.
b. to falter for lack of impetus, ideas, capital, etc.: The economic recovery seems to be running out of gas.
179. 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.
Origin:
bef. 900; (v.) ME rinnen, rennen, partly < ON rinna, renna, partly continuing OE rinnan; c. G rinnen; form run orig. ptp., later extended to present tense; (n. and adj.) deriv. of the v.

Related forms:
run⋅na⋅ble, adjective
run⋅na⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

beat

  [beet] verb, beat, beat⋅en or beat, beat⋅ing, noun, adjective
–verb (used with object)
1. to strike violently or forcefully and repeatedly.
2. to dash against: rain beating the trees.
3. to flutter, flap, or rotate in or against: beating the air with its wings.
4. to sound, as on a drum: beating a steady rhythm; to beat a tattoo.
5. to stir vigorously: Beat the egg whites well.
6. to break, forge, or make by blows: to beat their swords into plowshares.
7. to produce (an attitude, idea, habit, etc.) by repeated efforts: I'll beat some sense into him.
8. to make (a path) by repeated treading.
9. to strike (a person or animal) repeatedly and injuriously: Some of the hoodlums beat their victims viciously before robbing them.
10. Music. to mark (time) by strokes, as with the hand or a metronome.
11. Hunting. to scour (the forest, grass, or brush), and sometimes make noise, in order to rouse game.
12. to overcome in a contest; defeat.
13. to win over in a race: We beat the English challenger to Bermuda.
14. to be superior to: Making reservations beats waiting in line.
15. to be incomprehensible to; baffle: It beats me how he got the job.
16. to defeat or frustrate (a person), as a problem to be solved: It beats me how to get her to understand.
17. to mitigate or offset the effects of: beating the hot weather; trying to beat the sudden decrease in land values.
18. Slang. to swindle; cheat (often fol. by out): He beat him out of hundreds of dollars on that deal.
19. to escape or avoid (blame or punishment).
20. Textiles. to strike (the loose pick) into its proper place in the woven cloth by beating the loosely deposited filling yarn with the reed.
–verb (used without object)
21. to strike repeated blows; pound.
22. to throb or pulsate: His heart began to beat faster.
23. to dash; strike (usually fol. by against or on): rain beating against the windows.
24. to resound under blows, as a drum.
25. to achieve victory in a contest; win: Which team do you think will beat?
26. to play, as on a drum.
27. to scour cover for game.
28. Physics. to make a beat or beats.
29. (of a cooking ingredient) to foam or stiffen as a result of beating or whipping: This cream won't beat.
30. Nautical. to tack to windward by sailing close-hauled.
–noun
31. a stroke or blow.
32. the sound made by one or more such blows: the beat of drums.
33. a throb or pulsation: a pulse of 60 beats per minute.
34. the ticking sound made by a clock or watch escapement.
35. one's assigned or regular path or habitual round: a policeman's beat.
36. Music.
a. the audible, visual, or mental marking of the metrical divisions of music.
b. a stroke of the hand, baton, etc., marking the time division or an accent for music during performance.
37. Theater. a momentary time unit imagined by an actor in timing actions: Wait four beats and then pick up the phone.
38. Prosody. the accent stress, or ictus, in a foot or rhythmical unit of poetry.
39. Physics. a pulsation caused by the coincidence of the amplitudes of two oscillations of unequal frequencies, having a frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of the two oscillations.
40. Journalism.
a. the reporting of a piece of news in advance, esp. before it is reported by a rival or rivals. Compare exclusive (def. 13), scoop (def. 8).
b. Also called newsbeat, run. the particular news source or activity that a reporter is responsible for covering.
41. a subdivision of a county, as in Mississippi.
42. (often initial capital letter) Informal. beatnik.
–adjective
43. Informal. exhausted; worn out.
44. (often initial capital letter) of or characteristic of members of the Beat Generation or beatniks.
—Verb phrases
45. beat about,
a. to search through; scour: After beating about for several hours, he turned up the missing papers.
b. Nautical. to tack into the wind.
46. beat back, to force back; compel to withdraw: to beat back an attacker.
47. beat down,
a. to bring into subjection; subdue.
b. Informal. to persuade (a seller) to lower the price of something: His first price was too high, so we tried to beat him down.
48. beat off,
a. to ward off; repulse: We had to beat off clouds of mosquitoes.
b. Slang: Vulgar. to masturbate.
49. beat out,
a. Informal. to defeat; win or be chosen over: to beat out the competition.
b. Carpentry. to cut (a mortise).
c. to produce hurriedly, esp. by writing or typing: There are three days left to beat out the first draft of the novel.
d. Baseball. (of a hitter) to make (an infield ground ball or bunt) into a hit: He beat out a weak grounder to third.
50. beat up,
a. Also, beat up on. to strike repeatedly so as to cause painful injury; thrash: A gang of toughs beat him up on the way home from school. In the third round the champion really began to beat up on the challenger.
b. British Informal. to find or gather; scare up: I'll beat up some lunch for us while you make out the shopping list.
—Idioms
51. beat all, Informal. to surpass anything of a similar nature, esp. in an astonishing or outrageous way: The way he came in here and ordered us around beats all!
52. beat a retreat. retreat (def. 12).
53. beat around or about the bush. bush 1 (def. 17).
54. beat it, Informal. to depart; go away: He was pestering me, so I told him to beat it.
55. beat the air or wind, to make repeated futile attempts.
56. beat the rap. rap 1 (def. 16).
57. off one's beat, outside of one's routine, general knowledge, or range of experience: He protested that nonobjective art was off his beat.
58. on the beat, in the correct rhythm or tempo: By the end of the number they were all finally playing on the beat.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME beten, OE bēatan; c. ON bauta, MLG bōten, OHG bōzzan; akin to MIr búalaim I hit, L fūstis a stick < *bheud-

Related forms:
beat⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. belabor, batter, drub, maul, baste, pommel, cudgel, buffet, flog. Beat, hit, pound, strike, thrash refer to the giving of a blow or blows. Beat implies the giving of repeated blows: to beat a rug. To hit is usually to give a single blow, definitely directed: to hit a ball. To pound is to give heavy and repeated blows, often with the fist: to pound a nail, the table. To strike is to give one or more forceful blows suddenly or swiftly: to strike a gong. To thrash implies inflicting repeated blows as punishment, to show superior strength, and the like: to thrash a child. 12. conquer, subdue, vanquish, overpower. 14. excel, outdo, surpass. 22. See pulsate.

press⋅run

  [pres-ruhn]
–noun
1. the running of a printing press for a specific job: The pressrun will take about an hour.
2. the quantity that is run: a pressrun of more than 5000.
Also called run.

Origin:
1955–60; press 1 + run
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To run
creek   (krēk, krĭk)   
n.  
  1. A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run.
  2. A channel or stream running through a salt marsh: tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife.
  3. Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.

[Middle English creke, probably from Old Norse kriki, bend.]
run   (rŭn)   
v.   ran (rān), run, run·ning, runs

v.   intr.
    1. To move swiftly on foot so that both feet leave the ground during each stride.
    2. To move at a fast gallop. Used of a horse.
    3. To move without hindrance or restraint: dogs that always ran loose.
    4. To go or move about from place to place; roam: I am always running about, looking for my glasses.
    5. To move or go quickly; hurry: run for the police; ran for help.
    6. To go when in trouble or distress: He is always running to his lawyer.
    7. To make a short, quick trip or visit: ran next door to borrow a cup of sugar; ran down to the store.
    8. To take part in a race or contest: ran in the marathon; athletes who run for the gold medal.
    9. To compete in a race for elected office: ran for mayor.
    10. To finish a race or contest in a specified position: ran second.
    11. To flow, especially in a steady stream: Fresh water runs from the spring. Turn on the faucet and let the water run.
    12. To emit pus, mucus, or serous fluid: Pollen makes my nose run.
    13. To be wet or covered with a liquid: The street ran with blood. The mourners' eyes ran with tears.
    14. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    15. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    16. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    17. To become payable.
  2. To retreat rapidly; flee: seized the money and ran.
    1. To move without hindrance or restraint: dogs that always ran loose.
    2. To go or move about from place to place; roam: I am always running about, looking for my glasses.
    3. To move or go quickly; hurry: run for the police; ran for help.
    4. To go when in trouble or distress: He is always running to his lawyer.
    5. To make a short, quick trip or visit: ran next door to borrow a cup of sugar; ran down to the store.
    6. To take part in a race or contest: ran in the marathon; athletes who run for the gold medal.
    7. To compete in a race for elected office: ran for mayor.
    8. To finish a race or contest in a specified position: ran second.
    9. To flow, especially in a steady stream: Fresh water runs from the spring. Turn on the faucet and let the water run.
    10. To emit pus, mucus, or serous fluid: Pollen makes my nose run.
    11. To be wet or covered with a liquid: The street ran with blood. The mourners' eyes ran with tears.
    12. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    13. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    14. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    15. To become payable.
  4. To migrate, especially to move in a shoal in order to spawn. Used of fish.
    1. To move or go quickly; hurry: run for the police; ran for help.
    2. To go when in trouble or distress: He is always running to his lawyer.
    3. To make a short, quick trip or visit: ran next door to borrow a cup of sugar; ran down to the store.
    4. To take part in a race or contest: ran in the marathon; athletes who run for the gold medal.
    5. To compete in a race for elected office: ran for mayor.
    6. To finish a race or contest in a specified position: ran second.
    7. To flow, especially in a steady stream: Fresh water runs from the spring. Turn on the faucet and let the water run.
    8. To emit pus, mucus, or serous fluid: Pollen makes my nose run.
    9. To be wet or covered with a liquid: The street ran with blood. The mourners' eyes ran with tears.
    10. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    11. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    12. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    13. To become payable.
    1. To take part in a race or contest: ran in the marathon; athletes who run for the gold medal.
    2. To compete in a race for elected office: ran for mayor.
    3. To finish a race or contest in a specified position: ran second.
    4. To flow, especially in a steady stream: Fresh water runs from the spring. Turn on the faucet and let the water run.
    5. To emit pus, mucus, or serous fluid: Pollen makes my nose run.
    6. To be wet or covered with a liquid: The street ran with blood. The mourners' eyes ran with tears.
    7. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    8. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    9. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    10. To become payable.
  7. To move freely, on or as if on wheels: The car ran downhill. The drawer runs on small bearings.
  8. To be in operation: The engine is running.
  9. To go back and forth especially on a regular basis; ply: The ferry runs every hour.
  10. Nautical To sail or steer before the wind or on an indicated course: run before a storm.
    1. To flow, especially in a steady stream: Fresh water runs from the spring. Turn on the faucet and let the water run.
    2. To emit pus, mucus, or serous fluid: Pollen makes my nose run.
    3. To be wet or covered with a liquid: The street ran with blood. The mourners' eyes ran with tears.
    4. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    5. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    6. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    7. To become payable.
  12. To melt and flow: A hot flame will make the solder run.
  13. To spread or dissolve, as dyes in fabric: Colorfast garments are not supposed to run.
  14. To extend, stretch, or reach in a certain direction or to a particular point: This road runs to the next town.
  15. To extend, spread, or climb as a result of growing: Ivy ran up the wall.
  16. To spread rapidly: disease that ran rampant.
    1. To be valid in a given area: The speed limit runs only to the town line.
    2. To be present as a valid accompaniment: Fishing rights run with ownership of the land.
    3. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    4. To become payable.
  18. To unravel along a line: Her stocking ran.
  19. To continue in effect or operation: a lease with one year to run.
  20. To pass: Days ran into weeks.
  21. To tend to persist or recur: Stinginess seems to run in that family.
    1. To accumulate or accrue: The interest runs from the first of the month.
    2. To become payable.
  23. To take a particular form, order, or expression: My reasoning runs thus. The report runs as follows.
  24. To tend or incline: Their taste in art runs to the bizarre.
  25. To occupy or exist in a certain range: The sizes run from small to large.
  26. To be presented or performed for a continuous period of time: The play ran for six months.
  27. To pass into a specified condition: We ran into debt.
  28. Informal To leave; depart: Sorry, I have to run.
v.   tr.
    1. To travel over on foot at a pace faster than a walk: ran the entire distance.
    2. To cause (an animal) to move quickly or rapidly: We run our hunting dogs every morning.
    3. To cause to compete in or as if in a race: He ran two horses in the Kentucky Derby.
    4. To present or nominate for elective office: The party ran her for senator.
    5. To smuggle: run guns.
    6. To evade and pass through: run a roadblock.
    7. To melt, fuse, or smelt (metal).
    8. To mold or cast (molten metal): run gold into ingots.
    9. To cause to crash or collide: ran the car into a fence.
    10. To cause to penetrate: I ran a pin into my thumb.
    11. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    12. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  2. To allow to move without restraint.
  3. To do or accomplish by or as if by running: run errands.
  4. To hunt or pursue; chase: dogs running deer.
  5. To bring to a given condition by or as if by running: The toddlers ran me ragged.
  6. To cause to move quickly: She ran her fingers along the keyboard.
    1. To cause to compete in or as if in a race: He ran two horses in the Kentucky Derby.
    2. To present or nominate for elective office: The party ran her for senator.
    3. To smuggle: run guns.
    4. To evade and pass through: run a roadblock.
    5. To melt, fuse, or smelt (metal).
    6. To mold or cast (molten metal): run gold into ingots.
    7. To cause to crash or collide: ran the car into a fence.
    8. To cause to penetrate: I ran a pin into my thumb.
    9. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    10. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  8. To cause to move or progress freely.
  9. To cause to function; operate: run a machine.
  10. To convey or transport: Run me into town. Run the garbage over to the dump.
  11. Football To attempt to advance (the ball) by carrying it.
  12. To submit for consideration or review: I'll run the idea by you before I write the proposal.
  13. Nautical To cause to move on a course: We ran our boat into a cove.
    1. To smuggle: run guns.
    2. To evade and pass through: run a roadblock.
    3. To melt, fuse, or smelt (metal).
    4. To mold or cast (molten metal): run gold into ingots.
    5. To cause to crash or collide: ran the car into a fence.
    6. To cause to penetrate: I ran a pin into my thumb.
    7. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    8. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  15. To pass over or through: run the rapids.
  16. To cause to flow: run water into a tub.
  17. To stream with: The fountains ran champagne.
  18. Metallurgy
    1. To melt, fuse, or smelt (metal).
    2. To mold or cast (molten metal): run gold into ingots.
    3. To cause to crash or collide: ran the car into a fence.
    4. To cause to penetrate: I ran a pin into my thumb.
    5. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    6. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  19. To cause to extend or pass: run a rope between the poles.
  20. To mark or trace on a surface: run a pencil line between two points.
  21. To sew with a continuous line of stitches: run a seam.
  22. To cause to unravel along a line: She ran her stocking on a splinter.
    1. To cause to crash or collide: ran the car into a fence.
    2. To cause to penetrate: I ran a pin into my thumb.
    3. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    4. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  24. To continue to present or perform: ran the film for a month.
  25. To publish in a periodical: run an advertisement.
  26. To subject oneself or be subjected to: run a risk.
  27. To have as an ongoing financial obligation: run a deficit; run a tab.
  28. Games
    1. To score (balls or points) consecutively in billiards: run 15 balls.
    2. To clear (the table) in pool by consecutive scores.
  29. To conduct or perform: run an experiment.
  30. Computer Science To process or execute (a program or instruction).
  31. To control, manage, or direct: ran the campaign by himself; a bureau that runs espionage operations.
n.  
    1. A pace faster than a walk.
    2. A fast gallop. Used of a horse.
    3. A distance covered by or as if by running.
    4. The time taken to cover such a distance: It is a two minutes' run from the subway.
    5. Sports A running race: the winner of the mile run.
    6. A campaign for public office: She managed his successful senatorial run.
    7. The migration of fish, especially in order to spawn.
    8. A group or school of fish ascending a river in order to spawn.
    9. A track or slope along or down which something can travel: a logging run.
    10. Sports A particular type of passage down a hill or across country experienced by an athlete, especially a skier or bobsledder: had two very good runs before the end of the day.
    11. A scheduled or regular route.
    12. The territory of a news reporter.
    13. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    14. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    15. A movement or flow.
    16. The duration of such a flow.
    17. The amount of such a flow.
    18. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    19. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    20. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    21. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    22. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    23. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    24. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    25. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    26. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    27. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  2. An act of running.
    1. A distance covered by or as if by running.
    2. The time taken to cover such a distance: It is a two minutes' run from the subway.
    3. Sports A running race: the winner of the mile run.
    4. A campaign for public office: She managed his successful senatorial run.
    5. The migration of fish, especially in order to spawn.
    6. A group or school of fish ascending a river in order to spawn.
    7. A track or slope along or down which something can travel: a logging run.
    8. Sports A particular type of passage down a hill or across country experienced by an athlete, especially a skier or bobsledder: had two very good runs before the end of the day.
    9. A scheduled or regular route.
    10. The territory of a news reporter.
    11. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    12. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    13. A movement or flow.
    14. The duration of such a flow.
    15. The amount of such a flow.
    16. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    17. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    18. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    19. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    20. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    21. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    22. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    23. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    24. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    25. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  4. A quick trip or visit: a run into town.
    1. Sports A running race: the winner of the mile run.
    2. A campaign for public office: She managed his successful senatorial run.
    3. The migration of fish, especially in order to spawn.
    4. A group or school of fish ascending a river in order to spawn.
    5. A track or slope along or down which something can travel: a logging run.
    6. Sports A particular type of passage down a hill or across country experienced by an athlete, especially a skier or bobsledder: had two very good runs before the end of the day.
    7. A scheduled or regular route.
    8. The territory of a news reporter.
    9. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    10. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    11. A movement or flow.
    12. The duration of such a flow.
    13. The amount of such a flow.
    14. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    15. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    16. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    17. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    18. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    19. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    20. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    21. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    22. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    23. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  6. Abbr. R Baseball A point scored by advancing around the bases and reaching home plate safely.
  7. Football A player's attempt to carry the ball past or through the opposing team, usually for a specified distance: a 30-yard run.
    1. The migration of fish, especially in order to spawn.
    2. A group or school of fish ascending a river in order to spawn.
    3. A track or slope along or down which something can travel: a logging run.
    4. Sports A particular type of passage down a hill or across country experienced by an athlete, especially a skier or bobsledder: had two very good runs before the end of the day.
    5. A scheduled or regular route.
    6. The territory of a news reporter.
    7. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    8. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    9. A movement or flow.
    10. The duration of such a flow.
    11. The amount of such a flow.
    12. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    13. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    14. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    15. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    16. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    17. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    18. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    19. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    20. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    21. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  9. Unrestricted freedom or use: I had the run of the library.
  10. A stretch or period of riding, as in a race or to the hounds.
    1. A track or slope along or down which something can travel: a logging run.
    2. Sports A particular type of passage down a hill or across country experienced by an athlete, especially a skier or bobsledder: had two very good runs before the end of the day.
    3. A scheduled or regular route.
    4. The territory of a news reporter.
    5. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    6. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    7. A movement or flow.
    8. The duration of such a flow.
    9. The amount of such a flow.
    10. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    11. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    12. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    13. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    14. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    15. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    16. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    17. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    18. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    19. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  12. Sports The distance a golf ball rolls after hitting the ground.
    1. A scheduled or regular route.
    2. The territory of a news reporter.
    3. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    4. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    5. A movement or flow.
    6. The duration of such a flow.
    7. The amount of such a flow.
    8. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    9. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    10. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    11. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    12. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    13. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    14. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    15. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    16. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    17. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
    1. A continuous period of operation, especially of a machine or factory.
    2. The production achieved during such a period: a press run of 15,000 copies.
    3. A movement or flow.
    4. The duration of such a flow.
    5. The amount of such a flow.
    6. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    7. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    8. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    9. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    10. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    11. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    12. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    13. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    14. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    15. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
    1. A movement or flow.
    2. The duration of such a flow.
    3. The amount of such a flow.
    4. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    5. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    6. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    7. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    8. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    9. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    10. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    11. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    12. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    13. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  16. A pipe or channel through which something flows.
  17. Eastern Lower Northern U.S. See creek.
  18. A fall or slide, as of sand or mud.
  19. Continuous length or extent: a five-foot run of tubing.
  20. Geology A vein or seam, as of ore or rock.
  21. The direction, configuration, or lie: the run of the grain in leather.
    1. A trail or way made or frequented by animals.
    2. An outdoor enclosure for domestic animals or poultry: a dog run; a turkey run.
    3. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    4. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    5. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    6. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    7. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    8. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    9. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    10. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
    1. A length of torn or unraveled stitches in a knitted fabric.
    2. A blemish caused by excessive paint flow.
    3. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    4. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    5. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    6. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    7. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    8. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
    1. An unbroken series or sequence: a run of dry summers.
    2. Games A continuous sequence of playing cards in one suit.
    3. An unbroken sequence or period of performances or presentations, as in the theater.
    4. A successful sequence of actions, such as well-played shots or victories in a sport.
    5. Music A rapid sequence of notes; a roulade.
    6. A series of unexpected and urgent demands, as by depositors or customers: a run on a bank.
  25. A sustained state or condition: a run of good luck.
  26. A trend or tendency: the run of events.
  27. The average type, group, or category: The broad run of voters want the candidate to win.
  28. Computer Science An execution of a specific program or instruction.
  29. Nautical The immersed part of a ship's hull abaft of the middle body.
  30. runs Slang Diarrhea. Often used with the.
adj.  
  1. Being in a melted or molten state: run butter; run gold.
  2. Completely exhausted from running.
  3. To pursue; chase.
  4. To seek the company or attention of for purposes of courting: He finally became tired of running after her.
  5. To encounter unexpectedly; run into.
  6. To work against; oppose: found public sentiment running against him.
  7. To flee; escape.
  8. To leave one's home, especially to elope.
  9. To stampede.
  10. To stop because of lack of force or power: The alarm clock finally ran down.
  11. To make tired; cause to decline in vigor.
    1. To collide with and knock down: a pedestrian who was run down by a speeding motorist.
    2. Nautical To collide with and cause to sink.
  13. To chase and capture: Detectives ran down the suspects.
  14. To trace the source of: The police ran down all possible leads in the case.
  15. To disparage: Don't run her down; she is very talented.
  16. To go over; review: run down a list once more.
  17. Baseball To put a runner out after trapping him or her between two bases.
  18. To insert or include as something extra: ran in an illustration next to the first paragraph.
  19. Printing To make a solid body of text without a paragraph or other break.
  20. Slang To take into legal custody.
  21. To pay a casual visit: We ran in for an hour.
  22. To meet or find by chance: ran into an old friend.
  23. To encounter (something): ran into trouble.
  24. To collide with.
  25. To amount to: His net worth runs into seven figures.
  26. To print, duplicate, or copy: ran off 200 copies of the report.
  27. To run away; elope.
  28. To flow off; drain away.
  29. To decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff.
  30. To force or drive off (trespassers, for example).
  31. To keep going; continue.
  32. To talk volubly, persistently, and usually inconsequentially: He is always running on about his tax problems.
  33. To continue a text without a formal break.
  34. To become used up; be exhausted: Our supplies finally ran out.
  35. To put out by force; compel to leave: We ran him out of town.
  36. To become void, especially through the passage of time or an omission: an insurance policy that had run out.
  37. To collide with, knock down, and often pass over: The car ran over a child.
  38. To read or review quickly: run over a speech before giving it.
  39. To flow over.
  40. To go beyond a limit: The meeting ran over by 30 minutes.
  41. To pierce: The soldier was run through by a bayonet.
  42. To use up quickly: She ran through all her money.
  43. To rehearse quickly: Let's run through the first act again.
  44. To go over the salient points or facts of: The crew ran through the preflight procedures. We ran through the witness's testimony before presenting it in court.
  45. To keep company: runs with a wild crowd.
  46. To take as one's own; adopt: "[He] was determined to run with the idea and go public before it had been researched" (Betty Cuniberti).
Phrasal Verb(s):
run acrossTo find by chance; come upon.
run after
  1. To pursue; chase.
  2. To seek the company or attention of for purposes of courting: He finally became tired of running after her.
run against
  1. To encounter unexpectedly; run into.
  2. To work against; oppose: found public sentiment running against him.
run alongTo go away; leave.
run away
  1. To flee; escape.
  2. To leave one's home, especially to elope.
  3. To stampede.
run down
  1. To stop because of lack of force or power: The alarm clock finally ran down.
  2. To make tired; cause to decline in vigor.
    1. To collide with and knock down: a pedestrian who was run down by a speeding motorist.
    2. Nautical To collide with and cause to sink.
  4. To chase and capture: Detectives ran down the suspects.
  5. To trace the source of: The police ran down all possible leads in the case.
  6. To disparage: Don't run her down; she is very talented.
  7. To go over; review: run down a list once more.
  8. Baseball To put a runner out after trapping him or her between two bases.
run in
  1. To insert or include as something extra: ran in an illustration next to the first paragraph.
  2. Printing To make a solid body of text without a paragraph or other break.
  3. Slang To take into legal custody.
  4. To pay a casual visit: We ran in for an hour.
run into
  1. To meet or find by chance: ran into an old friend.
  2. To encounter (something): ran into trouble.
  3. To collide with.
  4. To amount to: His net worth runs into seven figures.
run off
  1. To print, duplicate, or copy: ran off 200 copies of the report.
  2. To run away; elope.
  3. To flow off; drain away.
  4. To decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff.
  5. To force or drive off (trespassers, for example).
run on
  1. To keep going; continue.
  2. To talk volubly, persistently, and usually inconsequentially: He is always running on about his tax problems.
  3. To continue a text without a formal break.
run out
  1. To become used up; be exhausted: Our supplies finally ran out.
  2. To put out by force; compel to leave: We ran him out of town.
  3. To become void, especially through the passage of time or an omission: an insurance policy that had run out.
run over
  1. To collide with, knock down, and often pass over: The car ran over a child.
  2. To read or review quickly: run over a speech before giving it.
  3. To flow over.
  4. To go beyond a limit: The meeting ran over by 30 minutes.
run through
  1. To pierce: The soldier was run through by a bayonet.
  2. To use up quickly: She ran through all her money.
  3. To rehearse quickly: Let's run through the first act again.
  4. To go over the salient points or facts of: The crew ran through the preflight procedures. We ran through the witness's testimony before presenting it in court.
run upTo make or become greater or larger: ran up huge bills; run up the price of the company's stock.
run with
  1. To keep company: runs with a wild crowd.
  2. To take as one's own; adopt: "[He] was determined to run with the idea and go public before it had been researched" (Betty Cuniberti).

Idiom(s):
a run for (one's) moneyStrong competition.

Idiom(s):
in the long runIn the final analysis or outcome.

Idiom(s):
in the short runIn the immediate future.

Idiom(s):
on the run
    1. In rapid retreat: guerrillas on the run after an ambush.
    2. In hiding: fugitives on the run.
  2. Hurrying busily from place to place: executives always on the run from New York to Los Angeles.

Idiom(s):
run a temperature/feverTo have a higher than normal body temperature.

Idiom(s):
run away with
    1. To make off with hurriedly.
    2. To steal.
  2. To be greater or bigger than others in (a performance, for example).

Idiom(s):
run foul/afoul of
  1. To run into; collide with: a sloop that had run foul of the submerged reef.
  2. To come into conflict with: a pickpocket who ran foul of the law.

Idiom(s):
run in placeTo go through the movements of running without leaving one's original position.

Idiom(s):
run interferenceTo deal with problems or difficult matters for someone else.

Idiom(s):
run off at the mouthTo talk excessively or indiscreetly.

Idiom(s):
run off withTo capture or carry off: ran off with the state championship.

Idiom(s):
run (one's) eyes overTo look at or read in a cursory manner.

Idiom(s):
run out ofTo exhaust the supply of: ran out of fuel.

Idiom(s):
run out of gas/steam Slang
  1. To exhaust one's energy or enthusiasm.
  2. To falter or come to a stop because of a lack of capital, support, or enthusiasm.

Idiom(s):
run out onTo abandon: has run out on the family.

Idiom(s):
run rings aroundTo be markedly superior to.

Idiom(s):
run scared Informal To become intimidated or frightened.

Idiom(s):
run shortTo become scanty or insufficient in supply: Fuel oil ran short during the winter.

Idiom(s):
run short ofTo use up so that a supply becomes insufficient or scanty: ran short of paper clips.

Idiom(s):
run to earth/groundTo pursue and successfully capture: Dogs ran the fox to earth. The police ran the terrorists to ground.

[Middle English ernen, runnen, from Old English rinnan, eornan, earnan, and from Old Norse rinna; see rei- in Indo-European roots.]
Terms for "a small, fast-flowing stream" vary throughout the eastern United States especially. Speakers in the eastern part of the Lower North (including Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and southern Pennsylvania) use the word run. Speakers in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, the Dutch settlement areas of New York State, may call such a stream a kill. Brook has come to be used throughout the Northeast. Southerners refer to a branch, and throughout the northern United States the term is crick, a variant of creek.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Run

Run\, v. t. (Golf) To strike (the ball) in such a way as to cause it to run along the ground, as when approaching a hole.

Run

Run\, v. i. [imp. Ranor Run; p. p. Run; p. pr. & vb. n. Running.] [OE. rinnen, rennen (imp. ran, p. p. runnen, ronnen). AS. rinnan to flow (imp. ran, p. p. gerunnen), and iernan, irnan, to run (imp. orn, arn, earn, p. p. urnen); akin to D. runnen, rennen, OS. & OHG. rinnan, G. rinnen, rennen, Icel. renna, rinna, Sw. rinna, r["a]nna, Dan. rinde, rende, Goth. rinnan, and perh. to L. oriri to rise, Gr. ? to stir up, rouse, Skr. ? (cf. Origin), or perh. to L. rivus brook (cf. Rival). [root]11. Cf. Ember, a., Rennet.]

1. To move, proceed, advance, pass, go, come, etc., swiftly, smoothly, or with quick action; -- said of things animate or inanimate. Hence, to flow, glide, or roll onward, as a stream, a snake, a wagon, etc.; to move by quicker action than in walking, as a person, a horse, a dog. Specifically:

2. Of voluntary or personal action: (a) To go swiftly; to pass at a swift pace; to hasten.

"Ha, ha, the fox!" and after him they ran. --Chaucer. (b) To flee, as from fear or danger.

As from a bear a man would run for life. --Shak. (c) To steal off; to depart secretly.

My conscience will serve me to run from this jew. --Shak. (d) To contend in a race; hence, to enter into a contest; to become a candidate; as, to run for Congress.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. --1 Cor. ix. 24. (e) To pass from one state or condition to another; to come into a certain condition; -- often with in or into; as, to run into evil practices; to run in debt.

Have I not cause to rave and beat my breast, to rend my heart with grief and run distracted? --Addison. (f) To exert continuous activity; to proceed; as, to run through life; to run in a circle. (g) To pass or go quickly in thought or conversation; as, to run from one subject to another.

Virgil, in his first Georgic, has run into a set of precepts foreign to his subject. --Addison. (h) To discuss; to continue to think or speak about something; -- with on. (i) To make numerous drafts or demands for payment, as upon a bank; -- with on. (j) To creep, as serpents.

3. Of involuntary motion: (a) To flow, as a liquid; to ascend or descend; to course; as, rivers run to the sea; sap runs up in the spring; her blood ran cold. (b) To proceed along a surface; to extend; to spread.

The fire ran along upon the ground. --Ex. ix. 23. (c) To become fluid; to melt; to fuse.

As wax dissolves, as ice begins to run. --Addison.

Sussex iron ores run freely in the fire. --Woodward. (d) To turn, as a wheel; to revolve on an axis or pivot; as, a wheel runs swiftly round. (e) To travel; to make progress; to be moved by mechanical means; to go; as, the steamboat runs regularly to Albany; the train runs to Chicago. (f) To extend; to reach; as, the road runs from Philadelphia to New York; the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.

She saw with joy the line immortal run, Each sire impressed, and glaring in his son. --Pope. (g) To go back and forth from place to place; to ply; as, the stage runs between the hotel and the station. (h) To make progress; to proceed; to pass.

As fast as our time runs, we should be very glad in most part of our lives that it ran much faster. --Addison. (i) To continue in operation; to be kept in action or motion; as, this engine runs night and day; the mill runs six days in the week.

When we desire anything, our minds run wholly on the good circumstances of it; when it is obtained, our minds run wholly on the bad ones. --Swift. (j) To have a course or direction; as, a line runs east and west.

Where the generally allowed practice runs counter to it. --Locke.

Little is the wisdom, where the flight So runs against all reason. --Shak. (k) To be in form thus, as a combination of words.

The king's ordinary style runneth, "Our sovereign lord the king." --Bp. Sanderson. (l) To be popularly known; to be generally received.

Men gave them their own names, by which they run a great while in Rome. --Sir W. Temple.

Neither was he ignorant what report ran of himself. --Knolles. (m) To have growth or development; as, boys and girls run up rapidly.

If the richness of the ground cause turnips to run to leaves. --Mortimer. (n) To tend, as to an effect or consequence; to incline.

A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds. --Bacon.

Temperate climates run into moderate governments. --Swift. (o) To spread and blend together; to unite; as, colors run in washing.

In the middle of a rainbow the colors are . . . distinguished, but near the borders they run into one another. --I. Watts. (p) To have a legal course; to be attached; to continue in force, effect, or operation; to follow; to go in company; as, certain covenants run with the land.

Customs run only upon our goods imported or exported, and that but once for all; whereas interest runs as well upon our ships as goods, and must be yearly paid. --Sir J. Child. (q) To continue without falling due; to hold good; as, a note has thirty days to run. (r) To discharge pus or other matter; as, an ulcer runs. (s) To be played on the stage a number of successive days or nights; as, the piece ran for six months. (t) (Naut.) To sail before the wind, in distinction from reaching or sailing closehauled; -- said of vessels.

4. Specifically, of a horse: To move rapidly in a gait in which each leg acts in turn as a propeller and a supporter, and in which for an instant all the limbs are gathered in the air under the body. --Stillman (The Horse in Motion).

5. (Athletics) To move rapidly by springing steps so that there is an instant in each step when neither foot touches the ground; -- so distinguished from walking in athletic competition.

As things run, according to the usual order, conditions, quality, etc.; on the average; without selection or specification.

To let run (Naut.), to allow to pass or move freely; to slacken or loosen.

To run after, to pursue or follow; to search for; to endeavor to find or obtain; as, to run after similes. --Locke.

To run away, to flee; to escape; to elope; to run without control or guidance.

To run away with. (a) To convey away hurriedly; to accompany in escape or elopement. (b) To drag rapidly and with violence; as, a horse runs away with a carriage.

To run down. (a) To cease to work or operate on account of the exhaustion of the motive power; -- said of clocks, watches, etc. (b) To decline in condition; as, to run down in health.

To run down a coast, to sail along it.

To run for an office, to stand as a candidate for an office.

To run in or into. (a) To enter; to step in. (b) To come in collision with.

To run in trust, to run in debt; to get credit. [Obs.]

To run in with. (a) To close; to comply; to agree with. [R.] --T. Baker. (b) (Naut.) To make toward; to near; to sail close to; as, to run in with the land.

To run mad, To run mad after or on. See under Mad.

To run on. (a) To be continued; as, their accounts had run on for a year or two without a settlement. (b) To talk incessantly. (c) To continue a course. (d) To press with jokes or ridicule; to abuse with sarcasm; to bear hard on. (e) (Print.) To be continued in the same lines, without making a break or beginning a new paragraph.

To run out. (a) To come to an end; to expire; as, the lease runs out at Michaelmas. (b) To extend; to spread. "Insectile animals . . . run all out into legs." --Hammond. (c) To expatiate; as, to run out into beautiful digressions. (d) To be wasted or exhausted; to become poor; to become extinct; as, an estate managed without economy will soon run out.

And had her stock been less, no doubt She must have long ago run out. --Dryden.

To run over. (a) To overflow; as, a cup runs over, or the liquor runs over. (b) To go over, examine, or rehearse cursorily. (c) To ride or drive over; as, to run over a child.

To run riot, to go to excess.

To run through. (a) To go through hastily; as to run through a book. (b) To spend wastefully; as, to run through an estate.

To run to seed, to expend or exhaust vitality in producing seed, as a plant; figuratively and colloquially, to cease growing; to lose vital force, as the body or mind.

To run up, to rise; to swell; to grow; to increase; as, accounts of goods credited run up very fast.

But these, having been untrimmed for many years, had run up into great bushes, or rather dwarf trees. --Sir W. Scott.

To run with. (a) To be drenched with, so that streams flow; as, the streets ran with blood. (b) To flow while charged with some foreign substance. "Its rivers ran with gold." --J. H. Newman.

Run

Run\, v. t. 1. To cause to run (in the various senses of Run, v. i.); as, to run a horse; to run a stage; to run a machine; to run a rope through a block.

2. To pursue in thought; to carry in contemplation.

To run the world back to its first original. --South.

I would gladly understand the formation of a soul, and run it up to its "punctum saliens." --Collier.

3. To cause to enter; to thrust; as, to run a sword into or through the body; to run a nail into the foot.

You run your head into the lion's mouth. --Sir W. Scott.

Having run his fingers through his hair. --Dickens.

4. To drive or force; to cause, or permit, to be driven.

They ran the ship aground. --Acts xxvii. 41.

A talkative person runs himself upon great inconveniences by blabbing out his own or other's secrets. --Ray.

Others, accustomed to retired speculations, run natural philosophy into metaphysical notions. --Locke.

5. To fuse; to shape; to mold; to cast; as, to run bullets, and the like.

The purest gold must be run and washed. --Felton.

6. To cause to be drawn; to mark out; to indicate; to determine; as, to run a line.

7. To cause to pass, or evade, offical restrictions; to smuggle; -- said of contraband or dutiable goods.

Heavy impositions . . . are a strong temptation of running goods. --Swift.

8. To go through or accomplish by running; as, to run a race; to run a certain career.

9. To cause to stand as a candidate for office; to support for office; as, to run some one for Congress. [Colloq. U.S.]

10. To encounter or incur, as a danger or risk; as, to run the risk of losing one's life. See To run the chances, below. "He runneth two dangers." --Bacon.

11. To put at hazard; to venture; to risk.

He would himself be in the Highlands to receive them, and run his fortune with them. --Clarendon.

12. To discharge; to emit; to give forth copiously; to be bathed with; as, the pipe or faucet runs hot water.

At the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great C[ae]sar fell. --Shak.

13. To be charged with, or to contain much of, while flowing; as, the rivers ran blood.

14. To conduct; to manage; to carry on; as, to run a factory or a hotel. [Colloq. U.S.]

15. To tease with sarcasms and ridicule. [Colloq.]

16. To sew, as a seam, by passing the needle through material in a continuous line, generally taking a series of stitches on the needle at the same time.

17. To migrate or move in schools; -- said of fish; esp., to ascend a river in order to spawn.

To run a blockade, to get to, or away from, a blockaded port in safety.

To run down. (a) (Hunting) To chase till the object pursued is captured or exhausted; as, to run down a stag. (b) (Naut.) To run against and sink, as a vessel. (c) To crush; to overthrow; to overbear. "Religion is run down by the license of these times." --Berkeley. (d) To disparage; to traduce. --F. W. Newman.

To run hard. (a) To press in competition; as, to run one hard in a race. (b) To urge or press importunately. (c) To banter severely.

To run into the ground, to carry to an absurd extreme; to overdo. [Slang, U.S.]

To run off, to cause to flow away, as a charge of molten metal from a furnace.

To run on (Print.), to carry on or continue, as the type for a new sentence, without making a break or commencing a new paragraph.

To run out. (a) To thrust or push out; to extend. (b) To waste; to exhaust; as, to run out an estate. (c) (Baseball) To put out while running between two bases.

To run the chances, or one's chances, to encounter all the risks of a certain course.

To run through, to transfix; to pierce, as with a sword. "[He] was run through the body by the man who had asked his advice." --Addison.

To run up. (a) To thrust up, as anything long and slender. (b) To increase; to enlarge by additions, as an account.

(c) To erect hastily, as a building.

Run

Run\, n. 1. The act of running; as, a long run; a good run; a quick run; to go on the run.

2. A small stream; a brook; a creek.

3. That which runs or flows in the course of a certain operation, or during a certain time; as, a run of must in wine making; the first run of sap in a maple orchard.

4. A course; a series; that which continues in a certain course or series; as, a run of good or bad luck.

They who made their arrangements in the first run of misadventure . . . put a seal on their calamities. --Burke.

5. State of being current; currency; popularity.

It is impossible for detached papers to have a general run, or long continuance, if not diversified with humor. --Addison.

6. Continued repetition on the stage; -- said of a play; as, to have a run of a hundred successive nights.

A canting, mawkish play . . . had an immense run. --Macaulay.

7. A continuing urgent demand; especially, a pressure on a bank or treasury for payment of its notes.

8. A range or extent of ground for feeding stock; as, a sheep run. --Howitt.

9. (Naut.) (a) The aftermost part of a vessel's hull where it narrows toward the stern, under the quarter. (b) The distance sailed by a ship; as, a good run; a run of fifty miles. (c) A voyage; as, a run to China.

10. A pleasure excursion; a trip. [Colloq.]

I think of giving her a run in London. --Dickens.

11. (Mining) The horizontal distance to which a drift may be carried, either by license of the proprietor of a mine or by the nature of the formation; also, the direction which a vein of ore or other substance takes.

12. (Mus.) A roulade, or series of running tones.

13. (Mil.) The greatest degree of swiftness in marching. It is executed upon the same principles as the double-quick, but with greater speed.

14. The act of migrating, or ascending a river to spawn; -- said of fish; also, an assemblage or school of fishes which migrate, or ascend a river for the purpose of spawning.

15. In baseball, a complete circuit of the bases made by a player, which enables him to score one; in cricket, a passing from one wicket to the other, by which one point is scored; as, a player made three runs; the side went out with two hundred runs.

The "runs" are made from wicket to wicket, the batsmen interchanging ends at each run. --R. A. Proctor.

16. A pair or set of millstones.

At the long run, now, commonly, In the long run, in or during the whole process or course of things taken together; in the final result; in the end; finally.

[Man] starts the inferior of the brute animals, but he surpasses them in the long run. --J. H. Newman.

Home run. (a) A running or returning toward home, or to the point from which the start was made. Cf. Home stretch. (b) (Baseball) See under Home.

The run, or The common run, etc., ordinary persons; the generality or average of people or things; also, that which ordinarily occurs; ordinary current, course, or kind.

I saw nothing else that is superior to the common run of parks. --Walpole.

Burns never dreamed of looking down on others as beneath him, merely because he was conscious of his own vast superiority to the common run of men. --Prof. Wilson.

His whole appearance was something out of the common run. --W. Irving.

To let go by the run (Naut.), to loosen and let run freely, as lines; to let fall without restraint, as a sail.

Run

Run\, a. 1. Melted, or made from molten material; cast in a mold; as, run butter; run iron or lead.

2. Smuggled; as, run goods. [Colloq.] --Miss Edgeworth.

Run steel, malleable iron castings. See under Malleable. --Raymond.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : run
Spanish: correr,
German: rennen,
Japanese: 走る
More Translations »

run  (v.)
the modern verb is a merger of two related O.E. words. The first is rinnan, irnan (strong, intransitive, pt. ran, pp. runnen), from P.Gmc. *renwanan (cf. M.Du. runnen, O.S., O.H.G., Goth. rinnan, Ger. rinnen "to flow, run"), from PIE base *ren- "to run." The sense of "cause to run" is from O.E. ærnan, earnan (weak, transitive, probably a metathesis of *rennan), from P.Gmc. *rannjanan, causative of the root *ren- "run." Of streams, etc., from c.1205; of machinery, from 1562. Meaning "to be in charge of" is first attested 1861, originally Amer.Eng. Meaning "to seek office in an election" is from 1826, Amer.Eng. Phrase run for it "take flight" is attested from 1642. Most figurative uses are from horseracing or hunting (cf to run (something) into the ground, 1836, Amer.Eng.), except (to feel) run down (1901) which is from clocks (in the lit. sense, 1761). To run across "meet" is attested from 1880. To run short "exhaust one's supply" is from 1752; to run out of in the same sense is from 1713.

run  (n.)
"spell of running," c.1450 (earlier ren, c.1390), from run (v.). Sense of "small stream" first recorded 1581, mostly Northern Eng. dialect and Amer.Eng. Meaning "series or rush of demands on a bank, etc." is first recorded 1692. Baseball sense is from 1856. Meaning "single trip by a railroad train" is from 1857. Military aircraft sense is from 1916. Meaning "total number of copies printed" is from 1909. Meaning "tear in a knitted garment" is from 1922. Phrase a run for one's money is from 1874. Run-in "quarrel, confrontation" is from 1905.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Run

When a large amount of bank customers try to withdrawal their bank deposits simultaneously, and the bank's reserves are not sufficient to cover the withdrawals.

Investopedia Commentary

Bank runs are synonymous with panic.

See also: Bank

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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run

  1. A dealer's list of security offerings with respective bid and ask quotes. Compare off-the-run issue.
  2. A sequence of security price movements in the same direction. Five straight days in which a stock price closes higher is an example of a run. Runs have been evaluated in order to determine if the charting of stock is a worthwhile way to earn an above-average return.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Main Entry: run
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: ran; run; run·ning
1 a : to be or continue to be in operation or effect b : to proceed toward expiration or effectiveness run when she received notice of the injury> —compare TOLL
2 : to continue to accrue or become payable in an amount increasing with the passing of time running from a particular date>—run with the land : to pass as a right or encumbrance upon the transfer of real property ran with the land>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: run
Pronunciation: 'r&n
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: ran /'ran/; run; run·ning
: todischarge fluid (as pus or serum) running sore> —run a fever or run a temperature : to have a fever
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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run
execution

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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run

In addition to the idioms beginning with run, also see beat (run) one's head against the wall; cut and run; dry run; eat and run; end run; go (run) around in circles; great minds (run in the same channel); home run; in the long run; like clockwork, run; make a break (run) for; make one's blood run cold; (run) off someone's feet; on the run; still waters run deep; tight ship, run a; well's run dry. Also see under running.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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