running mate

noun

1

: companion

2

: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable

3

: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket

especially : the candidate for vice president

Synonyms

• associate
• cohort
• companion
• compatriot
• compeer
• comrade
• crony
• fellow
• hobnobber
• mate

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson.

inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school

Recent Examples on the Web

Ernst was even a contender to be his running mate in the 2016 election. —Emily Chang, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024

While she was never mentioned by name, and Canton was not mentioned, by the Republican Party candidate and his running mate, Ferrell's story sparked a backlash against the Haitian community in Springfield. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Rodgers has said that Kennedy, also a former independent presidential candidate in the 2024 race, floated the idea of him as his running mate. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussed the election during a conference call with the Democratic Party’s financial committee. —Jamel Valencia, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

running mate

noun

: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office