running

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

run·ning

(rŭn′ĭng)

1. The act or an instance of running.

2. The power or ability to run.

3. Sports The exercise or sport of someone who runs.

adj.

1. Ongoing over a period of time: a running conversation; a running joke among us.

2. Set in continuous or unbroken lines: running text.

3. Printed at the top or bottom of every page or every other page: a running title; a running footer.

adv.

In a consecutive way: four years running.

Idioms:

in the running

1. Entered as a contender in a competition.

2. Having the possibility of winning or placing well in a competition.

out of the running

1. Not entered as a contender in a competition.

2. Having no possibility of winning or placing well in a competition.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

running

(ˈrʌnɪŋ)

adj

1. maintained continuously; incessant: a running battle; running commentary.

2. (postpositive) without interruption; consecutive: he lectured for two hours running.

3. denoting or relating to the scheduled operation of a public vehicle: the running time of a train.

4. accomplished at a run: a running jump.

5. (Knots) (of a knot) sliding along the rope from which it is made, so as to form a noose which becomes smaller when the rope is pulled

6. (Pathology) (of a wound, sore, etc) discharging pus or a serous fluid

7. denoting or relating to operations for maintenance: running repairs.

8. prevalent; current: running prices.

9. repeated or continuous: a running design.

10. (Botany) (of certain plants, plant stems, etc) creeping along the ground

11. flowing: running water.

12. (of handwriting) having the letters run together

13. management or organization: the running of a company.

14. operation or maintenance: the running of a machine.

15. competition or a competitive situation (in the phrases in the running, out of the running)

16. make the running to set the pace in a competition or race

17. rare the power or ability to run

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

run•ning

(ˈrʌn ɪŋ)

n.

1. the act of one that runs.

2. management; direction: the running of a business.

3. an act or instance of racing: the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby.

4. the condition of a track or surface to be run or raced on.

5. the amount, quality, or type of a liquid flow.

adj.

6. (of a horse)

a. going or proceeding at a gallop.

b. trained to proceed at a gallop.

7. creeping or climbing, as plants.

8. moving or proceeding smoothly.

9. slipping or sliding easily, as a knot.

10. operating or functioning, as a machine.

11. (of measurement) linear; straight-line.

12. flowing or fluid.

13. carried on continuously: a running commentary.

14. performed with or during a run: a running leap.

15. discharging pus or other matter: a running sore.

16. Naut. noting any of various objects or assemblages of objects that may be moved in ordinary use: running bowsprit; running gaff.

adv.

17. in succession; consecutively: three nights running.

Idioms:

1. in the running,

a. participating as a competitor.

b. under consideration as a candidate.

2. out of the running,

a. not competing.

b. not among the finalists.

[1150–1200]

Running

See Also: MOVEMENT, SPEED

Came running like a race —Lee Smith
A queer little hustling run, like a puppet jerked by wires —Ross Macdonald
Raced around … like a migrant bird —Elizabeth Hardwick
Ran across the lawn towards us crookedly, like someone in an egg-and-spoon race —Kate Grenville
Ran after … like a dog after its master —Isaac Babel
See Also: PURSUIT
Ran down the steps as if the Devil was behind her —Donald Seaman
Ran in and out … like a squirrel —Henry Van Dyke
Ran like a blind man —Stephen Crane
Ran like a stag —Jonathan Gash
Ran like a whirlwind —Thomas Macaulay
Another simile that has outlived its source, “The Battle of Lake Regillu,” as a commonly used phrase.
Run … like a blind sheep in a snowstorm —Borden Deal
(A man comes up to them with a gun, they) run like antelopes —Irwin Shaw
Run like a scalded dog —Rita Mae Brown
(Engineers and executives were) running around like ants in a burning mound —Speer Morgan
Running around in circles like crazy sheepdogs —George Garrett
Running as if on fire —Bernard Malamud
Running … like a leaf driven by the wind —Joseph Conrad
Running like a man who has jumped up in the dark and runs listening between his footfalls for the reason of his still running —Ted Hughes
[A rabbit] runs like a faucet —Marge Piercy
They [joggers] looked like an organized death march as they ran by gasping, perspiring, stumbling, their faces contorted with pain —Erma Bombeck
Trotted beside him like a frightened puppy beside an elephant —Thomas Wolfe

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun	1.	running - (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team; "the defensive line braced to stop the run"; "the coach put great emphasis on running" running game, running play, run American football, American football game - a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays football play - (American football) a play by the offensive team draw play, draw - (American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage end run, sweep - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line return - (American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble reverse - (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction rushing, rush - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line; "the linebackers were ready to stop a rush"
	2.	running - the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace; "he broke into a run"; "his daily run keeps him fit" run locomotion, travel - self-propelled movement sprint, dash - a quick run
	3.	running - the state of being in operation; "the engine is running smoothly" operation - the state of being in effect or being operative; "that rule is no longer in operation"
	4.	running - the act of administering or being in charge of something; "he has responsibility for the running of two companies at the same time" administration, disposal - a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs) administrivia - the tiresome but essential details that must be taken care of and tasks that must be performed in running an organization; "he sets policy and leaves all the administrivia to his assistant"
	5.	running - the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track track track and field - participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it track meet - a track and field competition between two or more teams
Adj.	1.	running - (of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream; "as mountain stream with freely running water"; "hovels without running water" standing - (of fluids) not moving or flowing; "mosquitoes breed in standing water"
	2.	running - continually repeated over a period of time; "a running joke among us" continual - occurring without interruption; chiefly restricted to what recurs regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series; "the continual banging of the shutters"
	3.	running - of advancing the ball by running; "the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays" football, football game - any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal pass, passing - of advancing the ball by throwing it; "a team with a good passing attack"; "a pass play" pass, passing - of advancing the ball by throwing it; "a team with a good passing attack"; "a pass play"
	4.	running - executed or initiated by running; "running plays worked better than pass plays"; "took a running jump"; "a running start" standing - executed in or initiated from a standing position; "race from a standing start"; "a standing jump"; "a standing ovation"
	5.	running - measured lengthwise; "cost of lumber per running foot" linear lengthways, lengthwise - running or extending in the direction of the length of a thing; "the lengthwise dimension"
	6.	running - (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes" operative, working, functional functioning - performing or able to perform its regular function; "a functioning flashlight"

running

verb

1. sprinting, racing, sprint, jogging cross-country running

noun

1. management, control, administration, direction, conduct, charge, leadership, organization, regulation, supervision, coordination, superintendency in charge of the day-to-day running of the party

2. working, performance, operation, functioning, maintenance the smooth running of the machine

adjective

1. continuous, constant, perpetual, uninterrupted, incessant, unceasing The song turned into a running joke between them.

2. in succession, together, unbroken, on the trot (informal) She never seems the same woman two days running.

3. flowing, moving, rushing, streaming, coursing Wash the lentils under cold, running water.

in the running in contention for, up for, likely to get, in line for, being considered for, a candidate for, on the shortlist for He's in the running for a gold medal.

out of the running out of contention, out of the competition, out of the contest, no longer a candidate for I was out of the running for the title.

up and running operating, going, working, functioning, in operation or action We're trying to get the medical facilities up and running.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

running

adjective

In action or full operation:

active, alive, functioning, going, operating, operative, working.

Translations

بصورَةٍ مُتَواصِلَهعَدْوللرَّكْضمُسْتَمِر، مُتَواصِل

běhběžeckýnepřetržitěprůběžný

i trækløbløbe-løbende

aufeinanderfolgend Lauf Laufen laufend Rennen

λειτουργία μηχανής

administración consecutivo continuo control dirección

juokseminenjuoksu

administration course d'affilée gérance gestion

trčanje

futás

hlaupa-samfelldursamfellt, í einu

corsa in corsa in marcia corrente

ランニング

달리기

rennen

kjøring løpe-løpende rennende

bieganie

corrida

баллотирование бег

bežeckýpriebežný

tek

löpning

การวิ่ง

devamlı koşmakoşu için olansürekli üst üste

cuộc chạy đua

奔跑奔跑的连续地连续的

running

[ˈrʌnɪŋ]

A. ADJ

1. (= flowing) [water] → corriente; [tap] → abierto; [stream] → de agua corriente
hot and cold running water → agua corriente caliente y fría

2. (= continuous) → continuo
a running battle (lit) → continuos enfrentamientos mpl (fig) → una lucha continua
a running commentary (on sth) (TV, Rad) → un comentario en directo (sobre algo)
we can do without a running commentary on the plot, thank you! (iro) → ¡podemos pasar perfectamente sin que nos cuentes el argumento de la película a cada paso!
a running joke → una broma continua
see also long-running

3. (Med) [nose] → que moquea; [sore] → que supura

B. ADV for five days running → durante cinco días seguidos or consecutivos
for the third year running, the weather was awful → por tercer año consecutivo el tiempo era horroroso

C. N

1. (= management) [of business, organization, school] → gestión f, dirección f; [of country] → gestión f

2. (= operation) [of machine, car] → funcionamiento m, marcha f
to be in running order [vehicle] → estar en buen estado

3. (= activity, sport) running is not allowed in the school corridors → no está permitido correr por los pasillos del colegio
his hobby is running → le gusta correr
running gear → ropa f de correr
he started professional running eight years ago → empezó a correr profesionalmente hace ocho años

4. (fig)
to be in the running for sth she's in the running for promotion → tiene posibilidades de que la asciendan
to make the running (esp Brit) (Sport) → ir a la cabeza (fig) → tomar la iniciativa
to be out of the running (lit, fig) → estar fuera de combate
his illness put him out of the running for the presidency → su enfermedad lo ha dejado fuera de combate en lo que respecta a la presidencia, su enfermedad ha acabado con sus posibilidades de conseguir la presidencia
he's out of the running for the job now → ahora no tiene posibilidades de conseguir el trabajo

D. CPD running board N (Aut) → estribo m
running costs, running expenses NPL (esp Brit) [of business] → gastos mpl corrientes; [of car] → gastos mpl de mantenimiento
running head N (Typ, Comput) → título m de página
running in N (Aut) → rodaje m
running jump N (Sport) → salto m con carrerilla
to take a running jump (lit) → saltar tomando carrerilla
he can (go) take a running jump! → ¡puede irse a la porra!
running mate N (US) (Pol) [of presidential candidate] → candidato/a m/f a la vicepresidencia
running repairs NPL → reparaciones fpl provisionales
running shoe N → zapatilla f de correr or de deporte
running stitch N (countable) → puntada f de bastilla; (uncountable) → bastilla f
running total N → suma f parcial
to keep a running total (of sth) → llevar la cuenta del total (de algo)
running track N → pista f (de atletismo)

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

running

[ˈrʌnɪŋ]

(in race, for exercise) → course f à pied
Running is my favourite sport → La course à pied est mon sport préféré.

to be in the running for sth [+ prize, nomination, award, promotion] → être sur les rangs pour qch
to be out of the running → être hors course
to be out of the running for sth → être hors course pour qch

(= management) [business] → direction f; [school, organization, party] → direction f

(= organization) [event] → organisation f

[machine] → marche f, fonctionnement m

adj

[water] → courant(e)

(= continuous) [argument, dispute, feud] → en cours
a running joke → un sujet de plaisanterie
to have a running battle with sb → être en conflit avec qn

(= operating) to be up and running [system] → être opérationnel(le)

adv
6 days running → 6 jours de suite
for the third year running → pour la troisième année consécutiverunning commentary n

→ commentaire m sur le vif
to give sb a running commentary on sth → faire à qn un commentaire sur le vif de qchrunning costs npl

[business] → frais mpl de fonctionnement

[machine, car] → coûts mpl d'exploitationrunning head n → titre m courantrunning jump n

→ saut m avec élan

(fig) go take a running jump! → allez vous faire voir!running mate n → candidat(e) m/f à la vice-présidencerunning shoe n → chaussure f de courserunning time n [film] → durée frunning total n → total m cumulérunning track n → piste f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

running

→ Laufen nt, → Rennen nt; running style, style of running → Laufstil m; running gear → Laufausrüstung f; he started professional running eight years ago → er begann seine Laufkarriere vor acht Jahren; to make the running (lit, fig) → das Rennen machen; to be in the running (for something) → im Rennen (für etw) liegen; out of the running → aus dem Rennen; to take up the running (lit, fig) → sich an die Spitze setzen

(= functioning: of machine, vehicle) → Laufen nt

(= management, of business, hotel) → Führung f, → Leitung f; (of country, shop) → Führung f; (of mine) → Betrieb m; (of school, organization, newspaper) → Leitung f; (= organization: of course, competition) → Veranstaltung f, → Durchführung f; (= being in charge: of course, competition, department, project) → Leitung f

(= maintenance: of machine) → Unterhaltung f

(= smuggling) → Schmuggel m

adj

(= flowing) water, stream → fließend; tap, nose → laufend; eyes → tränend; running sore (Med) → eiternde Wunde; (fig) → Eiterbeule f; running cold → schwerer Schnupfen; hot and cold running water → fließend warmes und kaltes Wasser

(= current) prices → momentan

(Comput) program etc → aktiv

adv → hintereinander; (for) five days running → fünf Tage hintereinander; for the third year running → im dritten Jahr hintereinander; sales have fallen for the third year running → die Verkaufszahlen sind seit drei Jahren rückläufig

running

running account

n (Fin) → laufendes Konto

running battle

n (Mil) Gefecht, bei dem eine Seite immer weiter zurückgedrängt wird; (fig) → Kleinkrieg m; to fight a running → einen Kleinkrieg führen

running board

n → Trittbrett nt

running commentary

n (Rad, TV) → fortlaufender Kommentar; to give somebody a running (on something) (fig) → jdm fortlaufend Erläuterungen (→ über etw acc) → geben; we don’t need a running (inf) → wir brauchen keinen Kommentar

running costs

pl → Betriebskosten pl; (of car) → Unterhaltskosten pl

running expenses

pl → laufende Kosten pl

running head

n (Typ) → Kolumnentitel m

running joke

n it was a running between them → es war ein ständiger Witz bei ihnen

running jump

n → Sprung m → mit Anlauf; to take a running at something → mit Anlauf über etw (acc) → springen; go and take a running (Brit inf) → du kannst mich gernhaben (inf)

running knot

n → Schlaufenknoten m

running light

n (Naut) → Positionslampe f, → Fahrlicht nt

running mate

n (US Pol) Kandidat für die Vizepräsidentschaft

running order

n in running → betriebsbereit

running shoe

n → Rennschuh m

running speed

n (Tech) → Umlaufgeschwindigkeit f; (Mot) → Fahrgeschwindigkeit f

running stitch

n (Sew) → Vorstich m, → Reihstich m

running tally

n → laufende Summe

running text

n → fortlaufender Text

running time

n (of film) → Laufzeit f

running title

n = running head

running total

n → laufende Summe; to keep a running of something (lit, fig) → etw fortlaufend festhalten

running track

n → Aschenbahn f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

running

[ˈrʌnɪŋ]

1. adj (water) → corrente; (tap) → che cola; (sore) → che spurga
a running stream → un corso d'acqua
running battle → lotta continua
to be in good running order (car) → essere in buone condizioni di marcia
for the sixth time running → per la sesta volta di fila or di seguito

2. n (of business, hotel) → gestione f, direzione f; (of campaign) → organizzazione f; (of machine) → funzionamento; (of race) → corsa
to be in/out of the running for sth → essere/non essere più in lizza per qc
to make the running (Sport) (fig) → imporre il ritmo

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

run

(ran) – present participle ˈrunning: past tense ran (rӕn) : past participle run – verb

1. (of a person or animal) to move quickly, faster than walking. He ran down the road.

2. to move smoothly. Trains run on rails.

3. (of water etc) to flow. Rivers run to the sea; The tap is running.

4. (of a machine etc) to work or operate. The engine is running; He ran the motor to see if it was working.

5. to organize or manage. He runs the business very efficiently.

6. to race. Is your horse running this afternoon?

7. (of buses, trains etc) to travel regularly. The buses run every half hour; The train is running late.

8. to last or continue; to go on. The play ran for six weeks.

9. to own and use, especially of cars. He runs a Rolls Royce.

10. (of colour) to spread. When I washed my new dress the colour ran.

11. to drive (someone); to give (someone) a lift. He ran me to the station.

12. to move (something). She ran her fingers through his hair; He ran his eyes over the letter.

13. (in certain phrases) to be or become. The river ran dry; My blood ran cold (= I was afraid).

noun

1. the act of running. He went for a run before breakfast.

2. a trip or drive. We went for a run in the country.

3. a length of time (for which something continues). He's had a run of bad luck.

4. a ladder (in a stocking etc). I've got a run in my tights.

5. the free use (of a place). He gave me the run of his house.

6. in cricket, a batsman's act of running from one end of the wicket to the other, representing a single score. He scored/made 50 runs for his team.

7. an enclosure or pen. a chicken-run.

ˈrunner noun

1. a person who runs. There are five runners in this race.

2. the long narrow part on which a sledge etc moves. He polished the runners of the sledge; an ice-skate runner.

3. a long stem of a plant which puts down roots.

ˈrunning adjective

1. of or for running. running shoes.

2. continuous. a running commentary on the football match.

adverb

one after another; continuously. We travelled for four days running.

ˈrunny adjective

liquid; watery. Do you like your egg yolk firm or runny?; The baby has a runny nose.

ˈrunaway noun

a person, animal etc that runs away. The police caught the two runaways; (also adjective) a runaway horse.

ˌrunˈdown adjective

tired or exhausted because one has worked too hard. He feels run-down.

ˌrunner-ˈup noun

a person, thing etc that is second in a race or competition. My friend won the prize and I was the runner-up.

ˈrunway noun

a wide path from which aircraft take off and on which they land. The plane landed on the runway.

in/out of the running

having (no) chance of success. She's in the running for the job of director.

on the run

escaping; running away. He's on the run from the police.

run across

to meet. I ran across an old friend.

run after

to chase. The dog ran after a cat.

run aground

(of a ship) to become stuck on rocks etc.

run along

to go away. Run along now, children!

run away

1. to escape. He ran away from school.

2. (with with) to steal. He ran away with all her money.

3. (with with) to go too fast etc to be controlled by. The horse ran away with him.

run down

1. (of a clock, battery etc) to finish working. My watch has run down – it needs rewinding.

2. (of a vehicle or driver) to knock down. I was run down by a bus.

3. to speak badly of. He is always running me down.

run for

to stand for election for. He is running for president.

run for it

to try to escape. Quick – run for it!

run in

to get (a new engine etc) working properly.

run into

1. to meet. I ran into her in the street.

2. to crash into or collide with. The car ran into a lamp-post.

run its course

to develop or happen in the usual way. The fever ran its course.

run off

1. to print or copy. I want 500 copies run off at once.

2. (with with) to steal or take away. He ran off with my wife.

run out

1. (of a supply) to come to an end. The food has run out.

2. (with of) to have no more. We've run out of money.

run over

1. (of a vehicle or driver) to knock down or drive over. Don't let the dog out of the garden or he'll get run over.

2. to repeat for practice. Let's run over the plan again.

run a temperature

to have a fever.

run through

to look at, deal with etc, one after another. He ran through their instructions.

run to

to have enough money for. We can't run to a new car this year.

run up

1. to hoist (a flag).

2. to make quickly or roughly. I can run up a dress in a couple of hours.

3. to collect up, accumulate (debts). He ran up an enormous bill.

run wild

to go out of control. They let their children run wild; The garden was running wild.

running

→ عَدْو běh løb Rennen λειτουργία μηχανής marcha juokseminen course trčanje corsa ランニング 달리기 rennen kjøring bieganie corrida бег löpning การวิ่ง koşma cuộc chạy đua 奔跑

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

Confused and ever-increasing crowds were running back to where five minutes before the troops had passed the Emperors.

View in context

Running at the forefront of the pack was a large grey wolf--one of its several leaders.

View in context

An old mouse was running in and out over the stone doorstep, carrying peas and beans to her family in the wood.

View in context

Run along and mind your business.' At such a speech, I can almost see those poor fellows running like the wind.

View in context

Darya Alexandrovna, struggling painfully with her skirts that clung round her legs, was not walking, but running, her eyes fixed on the children.

View in context

Meanwhile, we had been running. Now we were but three hundred paces from the gate of the kraal, and there was something going on inside it; that we could see from the noise and the dust.

View in context

Will they say of any tale of cruelty and horror, however aggravated in degree, that it is improbable, when they can turn to the public prints, and, running, read such signs as these, laid before them by the men who rule the slaves: in their own acts and under their own hands?

View in context

Therefore, after an hour's hard running, the Griffin's breath began to fail, and it panted and gasped painfully, and moved more slowly than before.

View in context

I tried to pray, I remember, but that same hurry of my mind, like a man running, would not suffer me to think upon the words; and my chief wish was to have the thing begin and be done with it.

View in context

But the little sister tied the twigs together with a piece of ribbon, and they got past safely, and, after running through the wood, came out on to the open fields.

View in context

One head struck Toto, who first yelped and then grabbed the head by an ear and started running away with it.

View in context

The next moment soldiers came running through the wood, at first in twos and threes, then ten or twenty together, and at last in such crowds that they seemed to fill the whole forest.