run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Crypto Dollars In light of bitcoin’s dramatic run-up in price since November, the speculation around strategic bitcoin reserves, and the campaign pledge to fight against a U.S. CBDC the prospect of crypto dollars might seem like a remote one. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, believes wealthier Americans have continued to benefit from the staggering run-up in asset prices. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

The debt ceiling is a particularly sticky issue for Republicans, as many campaign against running up debts. —Dave Lawler, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

The Buccaneers sliced through the Chargers with a balanced attack that ran up 506 total yards. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill