run-up

1 of 2

noun

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

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

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
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
The massive run-up in the shares has made the stock expensive. Aya Wagatsuma, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2024 Food eaten at home was just 1.1% pricier last month than the same time last year, compared with the 2.6% average run-up in consumer prices overall. Jing Feng, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
Stocks related to the data center — one of the hottest market sectors — have also run up big, including Arista Networks and Eaton. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 Holiday Pops concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra run up to Christmas Eve. Mike Deehan, Axios, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for run-up 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of run-up was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near run-up

Cite this Entry

“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

run up

verb
: to cause to pile up : accumulate
ran up a big telephone bill

More from Merriam-Webster on run-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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