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run-through
run-throughnounthe performing of a sequence of designated actions, especially as a trial prior to actual performance; rehearsal; practice.
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run through
run throughverb(tr, adverb) to transfix with a sword or other weapon
run-through
Americannoun
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run-throughs
plural
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the performing of a sequence of designated actions, especially as a trial prior to actual performance; rehearsal; practice.
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a quick outline or review.
a run-through of his medical history.
adjective
verb
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(tr, adverb) to transfix with a sword or other weapon
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(intr, preposition) to exhaust (money) by wasteful spending; squander
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(intr, preposition) to practise or rehearse
let's run through the plan
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(intr, preposition) to examine hastily
noun
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a practice or rehearsal
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a brief survey
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Pierce, as in The soldier was run through by a bayonet . [c. 1400]
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Use up quickly, as in She ran through her allowance in no time . [c. 1600]
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Practice, review or rehearse quickly, as in Let's run through the first movement again , or The crew ran through the rescue procedures , or The attorney ran through the defense witness's testimony . [Mid-1400s]
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of run-through
First recorded in 1920–25; noun use of verb phrase run through
Vocabulary lists containing run-through
Theater - Introductory
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Theater - Middle School
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Theater - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Take that to the bank," whispers Henson after a the first run-through.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
The mishaps during a run-through that the US space agency calls a "wet dress rehearsal" dashed hopes that the mission around the Moon could launch as soon as Sunday.
From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026
We’ve done a run-through or two, and it’s exhausting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025
First, though: one final run-through of the show with the dancers she’s recruited to complement her own movement, which she describes as “quite wild and difficult to corral.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025
Tomorrow is dress rehearsals; Saturday morning is reserved for a light run-through before the show, which starts promptly at seven p.m.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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It's a bigger number than usual and I wanted to quickly run through all of them.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
He has insisted that his path to Cooperstown would run through Anaheim and only Anaheim.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Where Hampton has really stood out, though, is with his ability — in the words of the iconic Marshawn Lynch — to run through faces.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Transactions run through intermediaries who are often children or relatives of Revolutionary Guard or Intelligence Ministry figures, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Just the thought of his run through their yard made his heart beat fast, remembering fear and pride.
From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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He said the cast had been attending the run-throughs despite poor weather, showing "that great Bradford resilience".
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2025
Democratic operative Philippe Reines, a longtime Hillary Clinton aide, portrayed Trump in the run-throughs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2024
In run-throughs, Gaga said, “He called me ‘sweetheart.’
From New York Times ● Jul. 21, 2023
And the band is in Studio B, and we get a couple of run-throughs there, and I’m waiting, and it comes through the talkback.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 3, 2023
Each segment requires several run-throughs before it is smooth enough to be filmed.
From 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s by Max Millard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.