running mate

noun

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

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

a close companion.

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Origin of running mate

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Words nearby running mate

running head, running joke, running knot, running light, running martingale, running mate, running myrtle, running on empty, running pine, running repairs, running rhythm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for running mate

Running-Mate Question Allows Candidates to Flatter Each Other If ever there was an “Are we in high school?”
GOP’s Most Awkward Debate Moments: Crying, Flip-Flops, More (Video)|The Daily Beast|February 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She and George Pataki did not know each other when he asked her to be his running-mate.
Return of the Health Care Villains|Michael Kinsley|March 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She took good care to choose Désirée for her "running-mate," and as they were both fleet of foot they scored considerably.
The Jolliest School of All|Angela Brazil
It is rumored that from the state of sisal and henequen he will pick his running-mate.
Diplomatic Days|Edith O'Shaughnessy

Why Madero insists on that running-mate we don't understand.
Diplomatic Days|Edith O'Shaughnessy
She was treated, accordingly, as some exquisite chorus-girl or cabaret-pony that he had selected as a running-mate.
We Can't Have Everything|Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for running mate

running mate

noun

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

a horse that pairs another in a team

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012