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

Paramount Skydance slipped as well after a massive run-up approaching meme stock status over the past few weeks. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025

But in that game’s run-up, the Chargers lost standout left tackle Rashawn Slater (knee) for the season, which gave them pause in exposing Herbert with a makeshift line protecting him. —Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Verb

The stock had already run up 19% over the past three months and 31% over the past six. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025

However, a woman also dressed in Phillies gear, whose identity has not been verified by Newsweek, ran up to the father and son and demanded the baseball, which Drew reluctantly told Lincoln to give up to de-escalate the situation. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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