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running time

American  

noun

  1. Movies. the length or duration, usually expressed in minutes, of a feature film.

    The running time of the average film is 90–100 minutes.


Etymology

Origin of running time

First recorded in 1950–55

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:

The final instalment of the Heartstopper saga was originally set to be released as a fourth series, but despite a shorter running time, each individual's storyline is still handled with care.

From BBC Jul. 16, 2026

I’ve also seen much younger viewers cringe at the suggestion of staring at anything rendered in gray scale that has a running time longer than a “Twilight Zone” episode.

From Salon May 8, 2026

The characters number four, although only two are prominent during the play’s 90-minute running time.

From The Wall Street Journal May 5, 2026

Across a running time tied to the shifting seasons, pocked by images of breathtaking beauty, Pálmason is after a feeling that only patient observance yields: a lasting reality about the passing of relationships.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 6, 2026

The Peruvian steamer from the west arrives at Pebas on the sixteenth of each month; fare to Tabatinga, $15 gold; time, four days; running time, eleven hours.

From The Andes and the Amazon Across the Continent of South America by Orton, James

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