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
ran off; run off; running off; runs off
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
The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 16 June 2025
If left unmaintained, vacant lots can contribute to water pollution through stormwater runoff carrying pollutants like sediment and debris, and often became invaded by non-native plant species, which can displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
Will Sammon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The gunman, who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black shorts with flowers printed on them ran off down Marcy Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
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Noun
In some ways, this trade is part of the never-ending runoff from that disaster.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 16 June 2025
If left unmaintained, vacant lots can contribute to water pollution through stormwater runoff carrying pollutants like sediment and debris, and often became invaded by non-native plant species, which can displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2025
Verb
Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil then hit back-to-back home runs off Taijuan Walker in the sixth inning, but the Mets stopped producing from there.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The gunman, who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black shorts with flowers printed on them ran off down Marcy Ave.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runoff
1 of 2 noun
run·off
ˈrən-ˌȯf 
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 verbˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
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