1
British
: the final part of a race or racetrack
2
3
: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter
ran in; run in; running in; runs in
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
: to pay a casual visit
Synonyms
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
Jesse Pound,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
An easier run-in doesn't count for a lot when your difficult start contributed to fatigue, injuries, and stale attacking play.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025
The former mayor announced a congressional run in May 2022 but ended up dropping out about two months later.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for run-in 
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Noun
The timing of the target date fund changes is similar to another recent Vanguard legal run-in.
—Jesse Pound,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
An easier run-in doesn't count for a lot when your difficult start contributed to fatigue, injuries, and stale attacking play.
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The two had a five-week run in the summer of 2023 and returned for eight weeks in 2024.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025
The former mayor announced a congressional run in May 2022 but ended up dropping out about two months later.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for run-in
Dictionary Entries Near run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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