rune

noun

1
: any of the characters of any of several alphabets used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3rd to the 13th centuries
2
3
[Finnish runo, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse rūn]
a
: a Finnish or Old Norse poem
b
: poem, song
runic adjective

Illustration of rune

Illustration of rune
  • Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet

Examples of rune in a Sentence

wrote many mournful runes after her lover's untimely death
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.
The amount of runes gained has been increased for solo expeditions. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 Further in the campaign, the shield is imbued with runes that give it other ways to attack. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 May 2025 And then there are white supremacists, who have emblazoned themselves with swastikas, Norse runes, the SS logo, and other symbols. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025 Breaking these apart gives you rune stones, which can be channeled for casting magic. David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rune

Word History

Etymology

Old Norse & Old English rūn mystery, runic character, writing; akin to Old High German rūna secret discussion, Old Irish rún mystery

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rune was in 1676

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rune. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rune

noun
: any of the characters of an alphabet used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3rd to the 13th centuries
runic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on rune

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