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

Envelopes inscribed with cursive text, luggage cart run-ups at London’s King’s Cross Station and sweeping landscape shots glimpsed through a train window are also likely to get the hearts of diehard fans pounding. —Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Pop Mart shares have lost some momentum after their extended run-up, retreating about 50% from their August peak. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

Stewart was sitting courtside in open-toe sandals when Brunson stepped on her toe while running up the court and also dove for a ball out of bounds, crashing into her and briefly sitting on her lap. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

If borrowers haven’t switched 90 days after the July deadline, the department will put them on the standard plan, which often comes with the highest monthly payments, sometimes running up to hundreds of dollars a month. —Claire Rafford, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill