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
: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Synonyms
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
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
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 
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
Articles Related to running
Dictionary Entries Near running
Cite this Entry
“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share