run-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin 

1

British : the final part of a race or racetrack

2

: altercation, quarrel

3

: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter

run in

2 of 2

verb

ran in; run in; running in; runs in

transitive verb

1

a

: to insert as additional matter

b

: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break

2

: to arrest for a usually minor offense

3

chiefly British : to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation

intransitive verb

: to pay a casual visit

Synonyms

Noun

• brush
• encounter
• hassle
• scrape
• skirmish

Verb

• call
• come by
• come over
• drop by
• drop in
• pop (in)
• run (over)
• step in
• stop (by or in)
• visit

Examples of run-in in a Sentence

Noun

the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Verb

I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.

if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Earlier run-ins with flu can pay off During the last influenza pandemic — the 2009 swine flu outbreak — people under 65 accounted for most of the hospitalizations and deaths. —Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025

Colbert had prior run-ins with the law in New Orleans. —Laura Barcella, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

Verb

As a rookie, Gardner scored the final run in the old Yankee Stadium in 2008, which was replaced the following year. —Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025

But much like the European run in October/November 2024 that followed the Outlaw Festival, this was a reversion to the standard Rough and Rowdy Ways show. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for run-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

run-in

noun

ˈrən-ˌin

: an angry dispute : quarrel