ENGLISH
REFERENCE

runoff

n.
US //ˈɹəˌnɔf// UK //ɹˈʌnɒf// runoff
  1. 1 election (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    a second round of voting that happens when no one wins enough votes the first time.

    a final round of an election held when no candidate achieves the required majority in the initial ballot.

    Example

    Since neither candidate got over fifty percent of the vote, they will have a runoff next month.

    Example

    The political analysts predicted a tight runoff after the third-party candidate siphoned off enough votes to prevent a first-round victory.

    Usage

    Often used as a modifier, as in 'runoff election'.
    • second ballot
    • deciding vote
  2. 2 environmental water (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    water from rain or melting snow that flows over the land into rivers instead of going into the ground.

    the portion of precipitation that drains from a land area into surface water systems rather than being absorbed into the soil.

    Example

    Heavy rain caused agricultural runoff to flow from the farms into the local lake.

    Example

    Environmental scientists monitored the chemical levels in the urban runoff to determine the impact of the new industrial park on the local watershed.
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  1. 3 sports/competition (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    an extra race or match held to decide a winner when there is a tie.

    an additional competition or heat held to determine a winner among contestants who finished with equal scores or times.

    Example

    The two runners had the exact same time, so they had to compete in a runoff for the gold medal.

    Example

    After three rounds of the tournament ended in a stalemate, the officials organized a sudden-death runoff to satisfy the spectators and crown a champion.
    • tie breaker
    • play off
Origin

Deverbal from run off.

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