1
: the act of running up something
2
: a usually sudden increase in volume or price
3
: a period immediately preceding an action or event
ran up; run up; running up; runs up
: to grow rapidly : shoot up
1
: bid up
2
: to stitch together quickly
3
: to erect hastily
4
: to achieve by accumulating
ran up a big lead
Examples of run-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The recent run-up in rental rates looks to be in the rear-view mirror.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Megan Stringer, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
My trophy ran up a total score of 25 5/16 points, compared with 25 6/17 [sic] points for the winner.
—Tom Stacer, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
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Noun
There will be no long run-up to the season with hours spent preparing her mind and body to compete for 30-plus games.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The recent run-up in rental rates looks to be in the rear-view mirror.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
Tickets start at $22 for a toddler session and run up to $45 for an adult-only session.
—Megan Stringer, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
My trophy ran up a total score of 25 5/16 points, compared with 25 6/17 [sic] points for the winner.
—Tom Stacer, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
Cite this Entry
“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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