1an act or spell of running:I usually go for a run in the morninga cross-country run
a running pace:Rory set off at a run
an annual mass migration of fish up or down a river:the annual salmon runs
2a journey accomplished or route taken by a vehicle, aircraft, or boat, especially on a regular basis:the London-Liverpool run
a short excursion made in a car:we could take a run out to the country
the distance covered in a specified period, especially by a ship:a record run of 398 miles from noon to noon
a short flight made by an aircraft on a straight and even course at a constant speed before or while dropping bombs:bombing runs by B52s
3an opportunity or attempt to achieve something:their absence means the Russians will have a clear run at the title
a preliminary test of a procedure or system:if you are styling your hair yourself, have a practice run
an attempt to secure election to political office:his run for the Republican nomination
4a continuous spell of a particular situation or condition:he’s had a run of bad luck
a continuous series of performances:the play had a long run in the West End
a quantity or amount of something produced at one time:a production run of only 150 cars
a continuous stretch or length of something:long runs of copper piping
a rapid series of musical notes forming a scale.
a sequence of cards of the same suit.
5 (a run on) a widespread and sudden demand for (a commodity) or a widespread trading in (a currency):there’s been a big run on nostalgia toys this year
a sudden demand for repayment from (a bank) made by a large number of lenders:growing nervousness among investors led to a run on some banks
6 (the run) the average or usual type of person or thing:she stood out from the general run of Tory women
the general tendency of something:quite against the run of play, Smith scored an early try
7a sloping snow-covered course or track used for skiing, bobsleighing, or tobogganing:a ski run
a track made or regularly used by a particular animal:a badger run
8an enclosed area in which domestic animals or birds may run freely in the open:a chicken run
(the run of) free and unrestricted use of or access to:her cats were given the run of the house
Australian/NZ a large open stretch of land used for pasture or the raising of stock:one of the richest cattle runs of the district
9 Cricket a unit of scoring achieved by hitting the ball so that both batsmen are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances.
Baseball a point scored by the batter returning to home plate after touching the other bases.
10chiefly North American a ladder in stockings or tights:she had a run in her nylons
11a downward trickle of paint or a similar substance when applied too thickly:varnish should be applied with care to avoid runs and an uneven surface
a small stream:a shallow run at the edge of a low rock
12 (the runs) informal diarrhoea.
13 Nautical the after part of a ship’s bottom where it rises and narrows towards the stern.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time:the dog ran across the roadshe ran the last few yards, breathing heavilyhe hasn’t paid for his drinks—run and catch him
run as a sport or for exercise:I run every morning
(of an athlete or a racehorse) compete in a race:she ran in the 200 metres [with object]:Dave has run 42 marathons
[with object] enter (a racehorse) for a race:I’m hoping to run him in the Portland Handicap
Cricket (of a batsman) run from one wicket to the other in scoring or attempting to score a run.
[with object]West Indian chase (someone) away:Ah went tuh eat the mangoes but the people run mih
(of a boat) sail straight and fast directly before the wind:we slanted across to the far bank and ran before the wind
(of a migratory fish) go upriver from the sea in order to spawn.
2pass or cause to pass quickly in a particular direction: [no object, with adverbial of direction]:the rumour ran through the pack of photographers [with object and adverbial of direction]:Helen ran her fingers through her hair
[no object] move about in a hurried and hectic way:I’ve spent the whole day running round after the kids
move or cause to move forcefully or with a particular result: [no object, with adverbial of direction]:the tanker ran aground off the Shetlands [with object and adverbial of direction]:a woman ran a pushchair into the back of my legs
[with object] informal fail to stop at (a red traffic light):cameras triggered by cars running red lights at intersections
[with object] chiefly North American navigate (rapids or a waterfall) in a boat:the boats were preparing to run the big rapids
3(with reference to a liquid) flow or cause to flow: [no object, with adverbial of direction]:a small river runs into the sea at one side of the castle [with object]:she ran cold water into a basin
[with object] cause water to flow over:I ran my hands under the tap
[with object] fill (a bath) with water: [with two objects]:I’ll run you a nice hot bath
[no object] (run with) be covered or streaming with (a liquid):his face was running with sweat
[no object] emit or exude a liquid:she was weeping and her nose was running
[no object] (of a solid substance) melt and become fluid:it was so hot that the butter ran
[no object] (of the sea, the tide, or a river) rise higher or flow more quickly:there was still a heavy sea running
[no object] (of dye or colour in fabric or paper) dissolve and spread when the fabric or paper becomes wet:the red dye ran when the socks were washed
4extend or cause to extend in a particular direction: [no object, with adverbial of direction]:cobbled streets run down to a tiny harbour [with object and adverbial of direction]:he ran a wire under the carpet
[no object] chiefly North American (of a stocking or pair of tights) develop a ladder.
5 [no object] (of a bus, train, ferry, or other form of transport) make a regular journey on a particular route:buses run into town every half hour
[with object] put (a form of public transport) in service:the group is drawing up plans to run trains on key routes
[with object and adverbial of direction] take (someone) somewhere in a car:I’ll run you home
6 [with object] be in charge of; manage:Andrea runs her own catering business (as adjective, in combination -run)an attractive family-run hotel
[no object, with adverbial] (of a system, organization, or plan) operate or proceed in a particular way:everything’s running according to plan
organize, implement, or carry out:we decided to run a series of seminars
own, maintain, and use (a vehicle):he could no longer afford to run a car
7be in or cause to be in operation; function or cause to function: [no object]:the car runs on unleaded fuel [with object]:the modem must be run off a mains transformer
move or cause to move between the spools of a recording machine: [with object]:I ran the tape back
8 [no object] continue or be valid or operative for a particular period of time:the course ran for two daysthis particular debate will run and run
[with adverbial or complement] happen or arrive at the specified time:the programme was running fifteen minutes late
(of a play or exhibition) be staged or presented:the play ran at Stratford last year
9 [no object] pass into or reach a specified state or level:inflation is running at 11 per cent [with complement]:the decision ran counter to previous government commitments
10 [no object] (run in) (of a quality, trait, or condition) be common or inherent in members of (a family), especially over several generations:weight problems run in my family
11 [no object] stand as a candidate in an election:he announced that he intended to run for President
[with object] (especially of a political party) sponsor (a candidate) in an election:they ran their first independent candidate at the Bromley by-election
12publish or be published in a newspaper or magazine: [with object]:the tabloid press ran the story [no object]:when the story ran, there was a big to-do
[no object] (of a saying, argument, piece of writing, etc.) have a specified wording:‘Tapestries slashed!’ ran the dramatic headline
13 [with object] bring (goods) into a country illegally and secretly; smuggle:they run drugs for the cocaine cartels
14 [with two objects]North American cost (someone) (a specified amount):a new photocopier will run us about $1,300
15West Indian provide:the wait-and-see game continues until the government runs some ready cash
provide pasture for (sheep or cattle); raise (livestock):they ran sheep and cattle
meet or find by chance:I just thought you might have run across him before
run after
informal
persistently seek to acquire or attain:businesses which have spent years running after the baby boom market
seek the company of (a potential sexual or romantic partner):right from his school days, girls have been running after him
run against
archaic
collide with (someone):I pushed past him, running against Earnshaw in my haste
happen to meet:I ran against Flanagan the other day
run along
[in imperative] informal go away (used typically to address a child):run along now, there’s a good girl
run around with (US also run with)
informal associate habitually with (someone):he’s a good lad, but he started running around with the wrong bunch
run at
rush towards (someone) to attack them:she ran at him, kicking him with all her force
run away
escape from a place, person, or situation:children who run away from home normally go to London
(also informalrun off) leave one’s home or current partner in order to establish a relationship with someone else:he ran off with his wife’s best friend
try to avoid facing up to a difficult situation:the government are running away from their responsibilities
run away with
1(of one’s imagination or emotions) escape the control of:Susan’s imagination was running away with her
2accept (an idea) without thinking it through properly:a lot of people ran away with the idea that they were pacifists
3win (a competition or prize) easily:Ipswich are running away with the championship
run something by (or past)
tell (someone) about something, especially in order to ascertain their opinion or reaction:I’ll have to run it past Claire first
run someone/thing down
1(of a vehicle or its driver) hit a person or animal and knock them to the ground:the boy was run down by joyriders
(of a boat) collide with another vessel.
2criticize someone or something unfairly or unkindly:you mustn’t keep running yourself down
3discover someone or something after a search:she finally ran the professor down
run something down (or run down)
reduce (or become reduced) in size, numbers, or resources:the government were reviled for running down the welfare statehardwood stocks in some countries are rapidly running down
lose (or cause to lose) power; stop (or cause to stop) functioning:the battery has run down
gradually deteriorate (or cause to deteriorate) in quality:the property had been allowed to run down
run someone in
informal arrest someone:I’m going to have to run you in
run something in
British
prepare the engine of a new car for normal use by driving slowly for a period of time.
use something new in such a way as not to make maximum demands upon it:whatever system you choose, you must run it in properly
run into
1collide with:he ran into a lamppost
meet by chance:I ran into Moira on the way home
experience (a problem or difficulty):the bank ran into financial difficulties
2reach (a level or amount):debts running into millions of dollars
3blend into or appear to coalesce with:her words ran into each other