runoff

1 of 2

noun

run·​off ˈrən-ˌȯf How to pronounce runoff (audio)
1
: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2
: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material

run off

2 of 2

verb

ran off; run off; running off; runs off

transitive verb

1
a
: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
b
: to cause to be run or played to a finish
c
: to decide (a race) by a runoff
d
2
: to drain off : draw off
3
a
: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)
b
: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away

see also run off with

Examples of runoff in a Sentence

Verb the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
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.
Noun
George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians had conceded defeat after losing in the runoff to Nicusor Dan, the Bucharest mayor who obtained 53.6% of the vote, a margin of more than 829,000 votes. Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. celebrated Mother’s Day with his family by swimming in a contaminated Washington, D.C. creek used for sewer runoff. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Verb
Pena ran off three victories after that, beating Milana Dudieva, Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano before Valentina Shevchenko ended her winning streak with a January 2017 armbar submission. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Bella ran off to London, and Kevin was forced to confront his past while the Harrigans sat down for a 'normal' family dinner in last night's episode of MobLand. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for runoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of runoff was in 1680

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

runoff

1 of 2 noun
run·​off ˈrən-ˌȯf How to pronounce runoff (audio)
1
: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor
2
: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams

run off

2 of 2 verb
ˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
1
: to produce rapidly
2
: to decide by a runoff
3
: to drive away
4

More from Merriam-Webster on runoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!