Jump to:

• run-on
  run-on

  adjective

  of or designating something that is added or run on.
• run on
  run on

  verb

  (intr) to continue without interruption

run-on

American  

[ruhn-on, -awn] / ˈrʌnˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

adjective

1. of or designating something that is added or run on.

   a run-on entry in a dictionary.

2. Prosody. (of a line of verse) having a thought that carries over to the next line, especially without a syntactical break.

---

noun

1. run-on matter.

2. Automotive. after-run.

run on British  

verb

1. (intr) to continue without interruption

2. to write with linked-up characters

3. printing to compose text matter without indentation or paragraphing

---

noun

1. printing

   1. text matter composed without indenting

   2. ( as modifier )

      run-on text matter

2. 1. a word added at the end of a dictionary entry whose meaning can be easily inferred from the definition of the headword

   2. ( as modifier )

      a run-on entry

run on Idioms  

1. Keep going, continue; also, remain in effect. For example, That murder trial has been running on for months , or How much longer can this debt be allowed to run on? [Late 1500s]

2. Talk at length; see go on , def. 5.

3. Continue a text without a break; see run in , def. 2.

---

Etymology

Origin of run-on

First recorded in 1900–05; adj., noun use of verb phrase run on

Example Sentences

Participants from every series of the show will take part in the forthcoming Great Manchester run on that same date, in memory of late former contestant Sam Gardiner.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Researchers compared it to taking painkillers while continuing to run on an injured ankle.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

The ceremony will also stream on YouTube, ending a five-decade run on ABC, beginning that year.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The more-lightweight models that startups are designing to run on soldiers’ phones or drones often aren’t compatible with Palantir, AI startup executives said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

Related Words

• advance
• carry on
• carry over
• endure
• extend
• go on
• last
• linger
• maintain
• persist
• progress
• promote
• pursue
• reach
• remain
• stay
• survive
• sustain