Run
/rʌn/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo move quickly on foot, with both feet off the ground for a portion of each stride.
/rʌn/
To move at a speed faster than walking, by moving legs rapidly.
The children run in the park every day.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're late for the ice cream truck! You run as fast as your legs can carry you to catch it.
👶 For kids: To move your legs fast, faster than walking!
More Examples
She runs five miles every morning.
He ran to catch the train.
How It's Used
"He runs track for his school team."
"I run to catch the bus every morning."
To control, manage, or operate (a business, organization, or similar undertaking).
/rʌn/
To control or manage something, especially a business or organization.
She runs a small cafe in the city center.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're the boss of a lemonade stand. You're the one who runs it, making sure everything works.
👶 For kids: To be in charge of something, like a game or a store.
More Examples
He runs the marketing department.
Who is going to run the meeting?
How It's Used
"He runs a successful company."
"She runs the local community center."
To function or operate, often in reference to a machine, program, or system.
/rʌn/
To function or operate.
The computer program runs very slowly.
💡 Simply: Imagine your computer: when you click on a game, it runs! It means it's working.
👶 For kids: To work, like a toy or a computer.
More Examples
The generator runs on gasoline.
The car runs perfectly.
How It's Used
"The program runs on Windows."
"The engine runs smoothly."
An act or instance of running.
/rʌn/
An act of running.
I went for a run this morning.
💡 Simply: When you run, it's called a run! A quick trip on your feet.
👶 For kids: A time when you run!
More Examples
She takes a run every afternoon.
The dog needs a good run to burn off some energy.
How It's Used
"He went for a morning run."
"The dog loves to go for a run in the park."
A continuous series or sequence of events, things, or successes.
/rʌn/
A continuous series or sequence.
The team had a winning run.
💡 Simply: Imagine a series of good things happening one after the other. That's a run!
👶 For kids: A bunch of things happening one after another.
More Examples
The machine is experiencing a run of problems.
There was a run on the bank during the crisis.
How It's Used
"The stock saw a strong run of gains."
"A run of bad luck."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
run into
To meet someone unexpectedly.
"I ran into an old friend at the grocery store."
run out of
To have no more of something.
"We ran out of milk this morning."
run away
To escape or leave quickly.
"The dog ran away from home."
run a risk
To do something that might be dangerous or have a bad outcome.
"By investing in that company, you run a risk."
in the long run
Over a long period of time; eventually.
"Investing wisely may not show immediate results, but it will pay off in the long run."
From Old English *rinnan* (strong verb, past tense *rann*, past participle *runnen*), from Proto-Germanic *rinnanan* (cognate with Old High German *rinnan*, Gothic *rinnan*), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ri-né-ti (source of also Greek *rheō* (to flow), Latin *rīvus* (stream)).
The verb 'run' has been used in English since Old English times and shares roots with other Germanic languages. Historically, it referred to both the physical act of running and figurative usages like flowing water or controlling something.
Memory tip
Think of a cheetah chasing its prey - that's a run!
Word Origin
"To flow, move rapidly"