3
a
: incessant, continuous
a running battle
b
: made during the course of a process or activity
a running commentary on the game
4
: measured in a straight line
cost of lumber per running foot
5
a
: initiated or performed while running or with a running start
a running catch
a running jump
b
: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing
their running game was off
c
: designed for use by runners
a running track
running shoes
6
: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping
a running horse
: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Synonyms
Examples of running in a Sentence
Noun
He took up running for exercise.
They go running every evening.
Adjective
Never add fuel to a running engine.
The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease.
The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.
She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip.
Adverb
He has won the competition three times running.
he won the championship five times running
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The murder of 25-year-old Kenyan long-distance running medalist Agnes Tirop by her husband in October of 2021 was the final spark that lit the match for Ngugi-Cooper.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 15 Apr. 2024
The wall behind the desk in his classroom is covered with photos of Steve Prefontaine, the American long-distance running legend.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
The 128th running of the Boston Marathon is Monday, which is also Patriots’ Day in Boston.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
At the Conservative Political Action Conference later in February, a straw poll showed Ms. Noem tied for the top choice to be Mr. Trump’s running mate.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Almost immediately, the women’s running kit sparked online chatter, including from some of the sport’s top athletes themselves.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Although those moves were made with pass protection in mind, all three interior linemen can serve as road graders on the ground in the running game.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
The Rams subsequently awarded him a then-record contract extension for a running back.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
This running belt is versatile for most types of runners, and lengths, and offers optimal comfort.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024
The running gag of that book was applying Victorian diction and prejudices to high-tech things.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2024
Maoyan gives a running total of RMB78.3 million since releasing on Dec. 31.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Jan. 2024
Plenty of people don’t bother with these tools, which can help with everything from tracking debt to keeping a running total of your net worth.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023
Your pager will then keep a running total of health goals for protein or calories.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
Dispersed campsites have no services—no running water, no vault toilets, no trash cans.
—Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 19 Oct. 2023
Getting a running start, Woods slammed into the cameraman’s shoulder and sent him and his equipment crashing to the ground.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2023
Noun
This started with questions about running, but seems to have morphed into other areas.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024
The murder of 25-year-old Kenyan long-distance running medalist Agnes Tirop by her husband in October of 2021 was the final spark that lit the match for Ngugi-Cooper.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 15 Apr. 2024
The wall behind the desk in his classroom is covered with photos of Steve Prefontaine, the American long-distance running legend.
—Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
The 128th running of the Boston Marathon is Monday, which is also Patriots’ Day in Boston.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
At the Conservative Political Action Conference later in February, a straw poll showed Ms. Noem tied for the top choice to be Mr. Trump’s running mate.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Almost immediately, the women’s running kit sparked online chatter, including from some of the sport’s top athletes themselves.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Although those moves were made with pass protection in mind, all three interior linemen can serve as road graders on the ground in the running game.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
The Rams subsequently awarded him a then-record contract extension for a running back.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Adjective
For an even more remote escape, honeymooners can book one-bedroom Creek Houses that are a three-minute walk from the lodge with their own fireplaces and private patios alongside a running creek.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
This running belt is versatile for most types of runners, and lengths, and offers optimal comfort.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024
The running gag of that book was applying Victorian diction and prejudices to high-tech things.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2024
Maoyan gives a running total of RMB78.3 million since releasing on Dec. 31.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Jan. 2024
Plenty of people don’t bother with these tools, which can help with everything from tracking debt to keeping a running total of your net worth.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023
Your pager will then keep a running total of health goals for protein or calories.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
Dispersed campsites have no services—no running water, no vault toilets, no trash cans.
—Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 19 Oct. 2023
Getting a running start, Woods slammed into the cameraman’s shoulder and sent him and his equipment crashing to the ground.
—Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'running.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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