running mate

American  

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.

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running mate British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of running mate

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

After football, he became a congressman in the Buffalo area and, later, presidential candidate Bob Dole’s choice to join his Republican ticket as his vice presidential running mate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Flavio's press advisor said he would seek a woman running mate, possibly from the poor northeast -- Lula's stronghold.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

He might serve as Vance’s running mate, I guess, but both in Munich and in general he strikes me more as a chirrupy Robin to JD’s would-be Dark Knight.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026

His running mate for deputy leader, Diana Armstrong, said she was backing him because the party needed "fresh thinking".

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

All this left me more energized to help make the final push for Barack and Joe Biden, the affable senator from Delaware who’d soon be announced as his running mate.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama