Showing results for "running"

• present participle of run.

running

American  

[ruhn-ing] / ˈrʌn ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person, animal, or thing that runs.

2. managing or directing.

   the running of a business.

3. an act or instance of racing.

   the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby.

4. the condition of a track or surface to be run or raced on.

   Our track team had muddy running today.

5. the amount, quality, or type of a liquid flow.

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adjective

1. galloping, racing, moving, or passing rapidly.

2. (of a horse)

   1. going or proceeding rapidly at the gait of a gallop.

   2. taught to proceed at a gallop.

3. creeping or climbing, as plants.

   a running vine.

4. moving or proceeding easily or smoothly.

5. moving when pulled or hauled, as a rope.

6. slipping or sliding easily, as a knot or a noose.

7. operating or functioning, as a machine.

8. (of measurement) linear; straight-line.

9. cursive, as handwriting.

10. flowing, as a stream.

11. liquid or fluid.

12. present; current.

    the running month.

13. prevalent, as a condition or state.

    running prices.

14. going or carried on continuously; sustained.

    a running commentary.

15. extending or repeated continuously.

    a running pattern.

16. performed with or during a run.

    a running leap.

17. discharging pus or other matter.

    a running sore.

18. Nautical. noting any of various objects or assemblages of objects that may be moved in ordinary use.

    running bowsprit;

    running gaff.

19. Nautical, Machinery.

    1. noting any block of a tackle that moves.

    2. noting the part of the fall of a tackle that moves through the blocks (opposed to standing).

adverb

1. in succession; consecutively.

   He slept badly for three nights running.

idioms

1. in the running,

   1. participating or entered as a competitor.

   2. under consideration as a candidate or possible choice.

      Who is still in the running for the directorship?

   3. among the winners or those making a good showing.

2. out of the running,

   1. not competing in a contest or race.

   2. not among the winners or runners-up in a contest or race.

      to finish out of the running.

running British  

/ ˈrʌnɪŋ /

adjective

1. maintained continuously; incessant

   a running battle

   running commentary

2. (postpositive) without interruption; consecutive

   he lectured for two hours running

3. denoting or relating to the scheduled operation of a public vehicle

   the running time of a train

4. accomplished at a run

   a running jump

5. (of a knot) sliding along the rope from which it is made, so as to form a noose which becomes smaller when the rope is pulled

6. (of a wound, sore, etc) discharging pus or a serous fluid

7. denoting or relating to operations for maintenance

   running repairs

8. prevalent; current

   running prices

9. repeated or continuous

   a running design

10. (of certain plants, plant stems, etc) creeping along the ground

11. flowing

    running water

12. (of handwriting) having the letters run together

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noun

1. management or organization

   the running of a company

2. operation or maintenance

   the running of a machine

3. competition or a competitive situation (in the phrases in the running , out of the running )

4. to set the pace in a competition or race

5. rare the power or ability to run

running More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing running

• hit the ground running
• in the running
• meter is running
• off and running

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Other Word Forms

• well-running
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of running

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; run + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

running

Second-year running back Jarquez Hunter broke off a run for a long gain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

Guest: Will Sommer, senior reporter for the Bulwark and writer of False Flag, a newsletter about the online culture and communities now running our country.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

In addition to preventing lawful and decent burials, Bush, 48, previously pleaded guilty to 35 counts of fraud by false representation and another of fraudulently running a business, relating to the sale of funeral plans.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Even if the central bank holds steady, chances are running at more than 70% for a hike in September, so Citi doesn’t see much relief coming for markets after this meeting.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

For several minutes I did nothing as the water flowed into the hall, fanning over the oak floorboards, running toward the bedrooms and down the stairs.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• constant
• functioning
• working