running mate

noun

1. a candidate for an office linked with another and more important office, as for the vice-presidency.

2. a horse entered in a race in which another, more important, horse from the same stable, or belonging to the same owner, is run.

3. a close companion.

running mate

noun

1. a candidate for the subordinate of two linked positions, esp a candidate for the vice-presidency

2. a horse that pairs another in a team

Word History and Origins

Origin of running mate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

They also said that Bolsonaro knew of a plan to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, as well as a Supreme Court Justice.

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They also said that he knew of a plan to plot to assassinate Lula, his vice-presidential running mate, and a Supreme Court justice.

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Biden and Harris both ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020, and Biden chose his former rival as his running mate.

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Turner got a running mate last season in Fiske, who like Turner the year before finished as a finalist for NFL defensive rookie of the year.

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His Democratic opponent, meanwhile, was appealing to the state’s Black voters, naming Centenary University President Rev. Dale Caldwell as her running mate.

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