running

1 of 3

noun

run·​ning ˈrə-niŋ How to pronounce running (audio)
1
a
: the action of running
2
: physical condition for running
3

running

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
3
a
: incessant, continuous
a running battle
b
: made during the course of a process or activity
a running commentary on the game
4
: measured in a straight line
cost of lumber per running foot
5
a
: initiated or performed while running or with a running start
a running catch
a running jump
b
: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing
their running game was off
c
: designed for use by runners
a running track
running shoes
6
: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping
a running horse

running

3 of 3

adverb

: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Phrases
in the running
1
: competing in a contest
2
: having a chance to win a contest
out of the running
1
: not competing in a contest
2
: having no chance of winning a contest

Examples of running in a Sentence

Noun He took up running for exercise. They go running every evening. Adjective Never add fuel to a running engine. The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease. The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results. She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip. Adverb He has won the competition three times running. he won the championship five times running
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Rumored to be in the running for Transportation Secretary for the incoming administration, Graves is campaigning on his experience in the role — particularly the five-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that passed earlier this year. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Dec. 2024 Rubio frequently campaigned for Trump and was said to be in the running to be his vice presidential pick. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Fields was a greater running threat than Wilson, but Pittsburgh’s ground game hasn’t taken a notable step back since the quarterback switch. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024 Now at 16, his rise as one of the state’s best 8-man running backs has offered him not only opportunities to play in front of college programs, but also the freedom to grow socially. Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for running 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of running was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near running

Cite this Entry

“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

running

1 of 3 noun
run·​ning
ˈrən-iŋ
: the action of running

running

2 of 3 adjective
1
: going on steadily : continuous
a running battle
2
: measured in a straight line
3
: done while running or with a running start
a running jump
4
: made or trained for running
a running track
running shoes
a running horse

running

3 of 3 adverb
: one after another : in a row : consecutively
for three days running

More from Merriam-Webster on running

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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