ENGLISH
REFERENCE

run

US //ˈɹən// UK //ɹˈʌn// run
  1. 1 to move fast (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to move your legs faster than a walk.

    to move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both feet on the ground at the same time.

    Example

    He had to run to catch the bus before it pulled away from the stop.

    Example

    The athlete had to run with incredible discipline to maintain her pace during the final leg of the marathon.
  2. 2 to manage or lead (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to be in charge of a business, a shop, or an activity.

    to manage, direct, or be in charge of an organisation or operation.

    Example

    She runs a small bakery in the center of town.

    Example

    After the merger, he was appointed to run the entire European division of the logistics firm.
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  1. 3 to flow (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to flow or move like water from a tap or in a river.

    to flow in a stream or be in a liquid state; often used for domestic water supplies.

    Example

    Don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth.

    Example

    The river runs through the valley, providing a vital water source for the local agricultural communities.
  2. 4 to operate a machine (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to make a machine or a computer program work.

    to cause a machine or computer program to function or process data.

    Example

    You need to run the latest update to fix the security bugs.

    Example

    The technician decided to run the diagnostic software overnight to identify the source of the hardware failure.
  3. 5 to be a candidate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    to try to get elected for a job in the government.

    to stand as a candidate in an election for political office.

    Example

    She decided to run for mayor because she wanted to improve the local schools.

    Example

    Several prominent senators have already announced their intention to run for the presidency in the upcoming election cycle.
  4. 6 a period or sequence (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a continuous period of time when something happens or a series of things.

    a continuous spell or sequence of events, often of a specified kind.

    Example

    The team had a long run of wins before they finally lost a game.

    Example

    The play enjoyed a successful three-month run on Broadway before going on a national tour.
  5. 7 a trip or journey (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a short trip or a regular journey.

    a journey or route, especially one taken regularly or for pleasure.

    Example

    The supermarket is just a quick five-minute run in the car.

    Example

    The delivery driver completed his morning run ahead of schedule despite the heavy fog on the motorway.
  6. 8 sports point (n.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    a point scored in games like cricket or baseball.

    a unit of scoring in baseball or cricket, achieved by reaching bases or running between wickets.

    Example

    He scored the winning run in the final inning of the game.

    Example

    The batsman managed to steal a quick run while the fielder was distracted by the crowd.
  7. 9 a hole in clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a long hole in a piece of clothing where the threads have come apart.

    a line of unravelled stitches in a knitted fabric, particularly in hosiery.

    Example

    She noticed a run in her tights just before the interview started.

    Example

    The delicate silk stockings were prone to runs if they caught on even the slightest rough surface.
  8. 10 animal enclosure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Agriculture

    a fenced area where animals can move around outside.

    an enclosed area in which animals or birds can exercise or feed.

    Example

    The chickens have a large run where they can find insects in the grass.

    Example

    The farmer expanded the sheep run to ensure the flock had access to fresh grazing land during the summer months.
  9. 11 sudden demand (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    when many people suddenly want to take their money out of a bank.

    a sudden, urgent demand by many customers for the withdrawal of their funds from a financial institution.

    Example

    Rumors of the bank's failure caused a run on deposits.

    Example

    The central bank intervened to provide liquidity after a sudden run threatened to destabilise the national currency.
  10. 12 melted (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Archaic

    melted or in a liquid state.

    melted or molten; specifically used for materials like butter or metal.

    Example

    The run butter was poured over the fresh vegetables.

    Example

    The artisan used run metal to fill the intricate molds for the bronze statues.
Origin

From Middle English runnen, rennen (“to run”), alteration (due to the past participle runne, runnen, yronne) of Middle English rinnen (“to run”), from Old English rinnan, iernan (“to run”) and Old Norse rinna (“to run”), both from Proto-Germanic rinnaną (“to run”), from Proto-Indo-European h₃reyH- (“to boil, churn”). Cognate with Scots rin (“to run”), West Frisian rinne (“to walk, march”), archaic Dutch rinnen (“to flow”, still in geronnen), German rinnen (“to flow”), Swedish rinna (“to flow”), and Icelandic renna (“to flow”). From the causative Proto-Germanic *rannijaną (“to make run”) are Dutch rennen, German rennen, Danish rende, Swedish ränna (all “to run”). Non-Germanic cognates include Albanian rend (“to run, run after”). See also random.

Idioms73 entries

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