run / rən/ • v. (run·ning; past ran / ran/ ; past part. run) 1. [intr.] move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time: the dog ran across the road she ran the last few yards, breathing heavily he hasn't paid for his drinks—run and catch him. ∎  run as a sport or for exercise: I run every morning. ∎  (of an athlete or a racehorse) compete in a race: she ran in the 200 meters. | [tr.] Dave has run 42 marathons. ∎  [tr.] enter (a racehorse) for a race. ∎  Baseball (of a batter or base runner) attempt to advance to the next base. ∎  (of hounds) chase or hunt their quarry. ∎  (of a boat) sail directly before the wind, esp. in bad weather. ∎  (of a migratory fish) go upriver from the sea in order to spawn.2. [intr.] move about in a hurried and hectic way: I've spent the whole day running around after the kids. ∎  (run to) have rapid recourse to (someone) for support or help: don't come running to me for a handout.3. pass or cause to pass quickly or smoothly in a particular direction: [intr.] the rumor ran through the pack of photographers | [tr.] Helen ran her fingers through her hair. ∎  move or cause to move somewhere forcefully or with a particular result: [intr.] the tanker ran aground off the Aleutian Islands | [tr.] a woman ran a stroller into the back of my legs. ∎  [tr.] inf. fail to stop at (a red traffic light). ∎  [tr.] navigate (rapids or a waterfall) in a boat. ∎  extend or cause to extend in a particular direction: [intr.] cobbled streets run down to a tiny harbor | [tr.] he ran a wire under the carpet. ∎  [intr.] (run in) (of a quality or trait) be common or inherent in members of (a particular family), esp. over several generations: weight problems run in my family. ∎  [intr.] pass into or reach a specified state or level: inflation is running at 11 percent | the decision ran counter to previous government commitments. 4. [intr.] (of a liquid) flow in a specified direction: tears were running down her face. ∎  [tr.] cause (a liquid) to flow: [tr.] she ran cold water into the sink. ∎  [tr.] cause water to flow over (something): I ran my hands under the faucet. ∎  [tr.] fill (a bath) with water: I'll run you a nice hot bath. ∎  [intr.] (run with) be covered or streaming with (a particular liquid): his face was running with sweat. ∎  [intr.] emit or exude a liquid: she was weeping loudly, and her nose was running. ∎  [intr.] (of a solid substance) melt and become fluid: it was so hot that the butter ran. ∎  [intr.] (of the sea, the tide, or a river) rise higher or flow more quickly: there was still a heavy sea running. ∎  [intr.] (of dye or color in fabric or paper) dissolve and spread when the fabric or paper becomes wet: the red dye ran when the socks were washed. ∎  [intr.] (of a stocking or pair of tights) develop a ravel.5. [intr.] (of a bus, train, ferry, or other form of transportation) make a regular journey on a particular route: buses run into town every half hour. ∎  [tr.] put (a particular form of public transportation) in service: the group is drawing up plans to run trains on key routes. ∎  [tr.] take (someone) somewhere in a car: I'll run you home.6. [tr.] be in charge of; manage: Andrea runs her own catering business | [as adj. in comb.] (-run) an attractive family-run hotel. ∎  [intr.] (of a system, organization, or plan) operate or proceed in a particular way: everything's running according to plan. ∎  organize and make available for other people: we decided to run a series of seminars. ∎  carry out (a test or procedure): he asked the army to run tests on the anti nerve-gas pills. ∎  own, maintain, and use (a vehicle).7. be in or cause to be in operation; function or cause to function: [intr.] the car runs on unleaded fuel | [tr.] a number of peripherals can be run off one SCSI port. ∎  move or cause to move between the spools of a recording machine: [tr.] I ran the tape back | [intr.] the tape has run out. 8. [intr.] continue or be valid or operative for a particular period of time: the course ran for two days this particular debate will run on and on. ∎  happen or arrive at the specified time: the program was running fifteen minutes late. ∎  (of a play or exhibition) be staged or presented: the play ran on Broadway last year.9. [intr.] be a candidate in a political election: he announced that he intended to run for President. ∎  [tr.] (esp. of a political party) sponsor (a candidate) in an election: they ran their first candidate for the school board.10. publish or be published in a newspaper or magazine: [tr.] the tabloids ran the story | [intr.] when the story ran, there was a big to-do. ∎  [intr.] (of a story, argument, or piece of writing) have a specified wording or contents: “Tapestries slashed!” ran the dramatic headline.11. [tr.] bring (goods) into a country illegally and secretly; smuggle: they run drugs for the cocaine cartels.12. (of an object or act) cost (someone) (a specified amount): a new photocopier will run us about $1,300.• n. 1. [usu. in sing.] an act or spell of running: I usually go for a run in the morning a cross-country run. ∎  a running pace: Bobby set off at a run. ∎  an opportunity or attempt to achieve something: their absence means the Russians will have a clear run at the title. ∎  a preliminary test of the efficiency of a procedure or system: if you are styling your hair yourself, have a practice run. ∎  an attempt to secure election to political office: his run for the Republican nomination. ∎  an annual mass migration of fish up a river to spawn, or their return migration afterward: the annual salmon runs.2. a journey accomplished or route taken by a vehicle, aircraft, or boat, esp. on a regular basis: the New York-Washington run. ∎  a short excursion made in a car: we could take a run out to the country. ∎  the distance covered in a specified period, esp. by a ship: a record run of 398 miles from noon to noon. ∎  a short flight made by an aircraft on a straight and even course at a constant speed before or while dropping bombs.3. Baseball a point scored when a base runner reaches home plate after touching the other bases. ∎  Cricket a point scored by hitting the ball so that both batsmen are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances.4. a continuous spell of a particular situation or condition: he's had a run of bad luck. ∎  a continuous series of performances: the play had a long run on Broadway. ∎  a quantity or amount of something produced at one time: a production run of only 150 cars. ∎  a continuous stretch or length of something: long runs of copper piping. ∎  a rapid series of musical notes forming a scale. ∎  a sequence of cards of the same suit.5. (a run on) a widespread and sudden or continuous demand for (a particular currency or commodity): there's been a big run on nostalgia toys this year. ∎  a sudden demand for repayment from a bank made by a large number of lenders: growing nervousness among investors led to a run on some banks.6. (the run of) free and unrestricted use of or access to: her cats were given the run of the house.7. (the run) the average or usual type of person or thing: she stood out from the general run of varsity cheerleaders.8. an enclosed area in which domestic animals or birds can run freely in the open: a chicken run. ∎  a track made or regularly used by a particular animal: a badger run. ∎  a sloping snow-covered course or track used for skiing, bobsledding, or tobogganing: a ski run. ∎  Austral./NZ a large open stretch of land used for pasture or the raising of stock: one of the richest cattle runs of the district.9. a line of unraveled stitches in stockings or tights.10. a downward trickle of paint or a similar substance when applied too thickly.11. a small stream or brook.12. (the runs) inf. diarrhea.13. Naut. the after part of a ship's bottom where it rises and narrows toward the stern.PHRASES: be run off one's feet see foot.come running be eager to do what someone wants: he had only to snap his fingers, and she would come running.give someone/something a (good) run for their money provide someone or something with challenging competition or opposition.have a (good) run for one's money derive reward or enjoyment in return for one's outlay or efforts.on the run1. trying to avoid being captured: a kidnapper on the run from the FBI.2. while running: he took a pass on the run. ∎  continuously active and busy: I'm on the run every minute of the day.run a blockade see blockade.run afoul (or foul) of1. Naut. collide or become entangled with (an obstacle or another vessel): another ship ran afoul of us.2. come into conflict with; go against: the act may run afoul of consumer protection legislation.run dry (of a well or river) cease to flow or have any water. ∎ fig. (esp. of a source of money or information) be completely used up: municipal relief funds had long since run dry.run an errand carry out an errand, typically on someone else's behalf. (make a) run for it attempt to escape someone or something by running away.run the gauntlet see gauntlet² .run high see high.run oneself into the ground see ground¹ .run its course see course.run low (or short) become depleted: supplies had run short. ∎  have too little of something: we're running short of time.run a mile see mile.run off at the mouth inf. talk excessively or indiscreetly.run someone out of town force someone to leave a place.run rings around see ring¹ .run riot see riot.run the risk (or run risks) see risk.run the show inf. dominate or be in charge of a project, undertaking, or domain.run a temperature (or fever) be suffering from a fever or high temperature.run someone/something to earth (or ground) Hunting chase a quarry to its lair. ∎  find someone or something, typically after a long search.run to ruin archaic fall into disrepair; gradually deteriorate.run to seed see seed.run wild see wild.PHRASAL VERBS: run across meet or find by chance: I just thought you might have run across him before.run after inf. seek to acquire or attain; pursue persistently: businesses that have spent years running after the boomer market. ∎  seek the company of (someone) with the aim of developing a romantic or sexual relationship with them.run against archaic collide with (someone). ∎  happen to meet: I ran against Flanagan the other day.run along [in imper.] inf. go away (used typically to address a child): run along now, there's a good girl.run around with see run with (sense 2) .run at rush toward (someone) to attack or as if to attack them.run away leave or escape from a place, person, or situation of danger: children who run away from home normally go to big cities. ∎  (also inf. run off) leave one's home or current partner in order to establish a relationship with someone else: he ran off with his wife's best friend Fran, let's run away together. ∎  try to avoid acknowledging or facing up to an unpleasant or difficult situation: the commissioners are running away from their responsibilities.run away with1. (of one's imagination or emotions) work wildly, so as to overwhelm (one): Susan's imagination was running away with her. ∎  (of a horse) bolt with (its rider).2. accept (an idea) without thinking it through properly: a lot of people ran away with the idea that they were Pacifists.3. excel in or win (a competition) easily: the Yankees ran away with the series.run something by (or past) tell (someone) about something, esp. in order to ascertain their opinion or reaction.run someone/something down1. (of a vehicle or its driver) hit a person or animal and knock them to the ground. ∎  (of a boat) collide with another vessel.2. criticize someone or something unfairly or unkindly.3. find someone or something after a search: she finally ran the professor down.4. Baseball (of two or more fielders) try to tag out a base runner who is trapped between two bases, in the process throwing the ball back and forth.run something down (or run down) reduce (or become reduced) in size, numbers, or resources: hardwood stocks in some countries are rapidly running down. ∎  lose (or cause to lose) power; stop (or cause to stop) functioning: the battery has run down. ∎  gradually deteriorate (or cause to deteriorate) in quality or condition: the property had been allowed to run down.run someone in inf. arrest someone.run into1. collide with: he ran into a lamp post. ∎  meet by chance: I ran into Stasia and Katie on the way home. ∎  experience (a problem or difficult situation): the bank ran into financial difficulties.2. reach (a level or amount): debts running into millions of dollars.3. blend into or appear to coalesce with: her words ran into each other.run off see run away above.run off with inf. steal: the treasurer had run off with the pension funds.run something off1. reproduce copies of a piece of writing on a machine. ∎  write or recite something quickly and with little effort.2. drain liquid from a container: run off the water that has been standing in the pipes.run on1. continue without stopping; go on longer than is expected: the story ran on for months. ∎  talk incessantly.2. (also run upon) (of a person's mind or a discussion) be preoccupied or concerned with (a particular subject): my thoughts always ran too much on death.3. Printing continue on the same line as the preceding matter.run out1. (of a supply of something) be used up: our food is about to run out. ∎  use up one's supply of something: we've run out of gasoline. ∎  become no longer valid: her contract runs out at the end of the year.2. (of rope) be paid out: slowly, he let the cables run out.3. extend; project: a row of buildings ran out to Cityline Avenue.run out on inf. abandon (someone); cease to support or care for.run over1. (of a container or its contents) overflow: the bath's running over.2. exceed (an expected limit): the filming ran over schedule and budget.run someone/something over (of a vehicle or its driver) knock a person or animal down and pass over their body: I almost ran over that raccoon.run through1. be present in every part of; pervade: a sense of personal loss runs through many of his lyrics.2. use or spend recklessly or rapidly: her husband had long since run through her money.run someone/something through stab a person or animal so as to kill them.run through (or over) something discuss, read, or repeat something quickly or briefly: I'll just run through the schedule for the weekend. ∎  rehearse a performance or series of actions: okay, let's run through Scene 3 again.run to1. extend to or reach (a specified amount or size): the document ran to almost 100 pages. ∎  be enough to cover (a particular expense); have the financial resources for: my income doesn't run to luxuries like taxis.2. (of a person) show a tendency to or inclination toward: she was tall and running to fat.run something up1. allow a debt or bill to accumulate quickly: he ran up debts of $153,000. ∎  achieve a particular score in a game or match: North Carolina ran up a 62–44 lead.2. make something quickly or hurriedly, esp. a piece of clothing: I'll run up a dress for you.3. raise a flag.run up against experience or meet (a difficulty or problem): the proposal has been dropped because it could run up against Federal regulations.run with1. proceed with; accept: we do lots of tests before we run with a product.2. (also run around with) inf. associate habitually with (someone): Larry was a good kid until he began running around with the wrong crowd.DERIVATIVES: run·na·ble adj.ORIGIN: Old English rinnan, irnan (verb), of Germanic origin, probably reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse rinna, renna. The current form with -u- in the present tense is first recorded in the 16th cent.

run if you run after two hares you will catch neither proverbial saying, early 16th century, meaning that one must decide on one's goal.
a run for one's money a satisfactory period of success in return for one's exertions or expenditure; originally from racing, and recorded from the late 19th century.
run the gauntlet undergo the military punishment of receiving blows while running between two rows of men with sticks; alteration (in the mid 17th century) of gantlope (from Swedish gatlopp, from gata ‘lane’ + lopp ‘course’) by association with gauntlet.
you cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds proverbial saying, mid 15th century, meaning that you must take one of two opposing sides.

Run ★½ 1991 (R)

A high energy action cartoon, with little plot but lots of stunts. Dempsey is a supersmart law student hired to drive a car to Atlantic City. A stop on the way starts trouble. Instant romance with a local girl balances mayhem from crime boss. Expect no more than physical feats and you'll be happy with this lightweight fare. 91m/C VHS . Patrick Dempsey, Kelly Preston, Ken Pogue, Alan C. Peterson, Sean McCann; D: Geoff Burrowes; W: Michael Blodgett; C: Bruce Surtees.

run pt. ran, pp. run go along at quicker than walking pace; (gen.) move forward with speed. OE. str. vb. rinnan = OS., OHG. rinnan, (MLG., MDu., G. rinnen). ON. rinna, Goth. rinnan; of unkn. orig. The common ME. pres. tense forms rinne, renne, were prob. due to ON. rinna, renna. The -u- of the mod. pres., current from XVI (ronne is earlier), is the result of levelling from older pt. pl. runnen, pp. runne(n), ronnen.
Hence run sb. XV (act or spell of running; later in many techn. uses).

RUN

To have legal validity in a prescribed territory; as in, the writ (a court order) runs throughout the county. To have applicability or legal effect during a prescribed period of time; as in, thestatute of limitationshas run against the claim. To follow or accompany; to be attached to another thing in pursuing a prescribed course or direction; as in, thecovenant(a written promise or restriction) runs with the land.