# runoff

/ˈɹəˌnɔf/ (US) · /ɹˈʌnɒf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/runoff
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. election

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 2. environmental water

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Heavy rain caused agricultural runoff to flow from the farms into the local lake.
- Environmental scientists monitored the chemical levels in the urban runoff to determine the impact of the new industrial park on the local watershed.

### 3. sports/competition

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- Heavy rain caused runoff into the street.
- The runoff from the farm carried fertilizer into the river.
- After no candidate received a majority in the first round, the election moved to a runoff between the two leading contenders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.