Run  —v. (-nn-; past ran; past part. Run) 1 go with quick steps, never having both or all feet on the ground at once. 2 flee, abscond. 3 go or travel hurriedly or briefly (i'll just run down to the shops). 4 a advance by or as by rolling or on wheels, or smoothly or easily. B (cause to) be in action or operation or go in a specified way (left the engine running; ran the car into a tree). 5 be current or operative (lease runs for 99 years). 6 travel on its route (train is running late). 7 (of a play etc.) Be staged or presented (now running at the apollo). 8 extend; have a course, order, or tendency (road runs by the coast; prices are running high). 9 a (often absol.) Compete in (a race). B finish a race in a specified position. 10 (often foll. By for) seek election (ran for president). 11 flow (with) or be wet; drip (with) (walls running with condensation). 12 a cause (water etc.) To flow. B fill (a bath) thus. 13 spread rapidly (ink ran over the table). 14 traverse (a course, race, or distance). 15 perform (an errand). 16 publish (an article etc.) In a newspaper etc. 17 direct or manage (a business etc.). 18 own and use (a vehicle) regularly. 19 transport in a private vehicle (ran me to the station). 20 enter (a horse etc.) For a race. 21 smuggle (guns etc.). 22 chase or hunt. 23 allow (an account) to accumulate before paying. 24 (of a dyed colour) spread from the dyed parts. 25 a (of a thought, the eye, the memory, etc.) Pass quickly (ideas ran through my mind). B pass (one's eye) quickly (ran my eye down the page). 26 (of tights etc.) Ladder. 27 (of esp. The eyes or nose) exude liquid. —n. 1 running. 2 short excursion. 3 distance travelled. 4 general tendency. 5 regular route. 6 continuous stretch, spell, or course (run of bad luck). 7 (often foll. By on) high general demand (run on the dollar). 8 quantity produced at one time (print run). 9 average type or class (general run of customers). 10 point scored in cricket or baseball. 11 (foll. By of) free use of or access to (run of the house). 12 a animal's regular track. B enclosure for fowls etc. C range of pasture. 13 ladder in tights etc. 14 mus. Rapid scale passage. 15 (in full the runs) colloq. Diarrhoea.  on the run fleeing. Run about 1 bustle, hurry. 2 (esp. Of children) play freely. Run across happen to meet or find. Run after 1 pursue at a run. 2 pursue, esp. Sexually. Run along colloq. Depart. Run around 1 take from place to place by car etc. 2 (often foll. By with) slang engage in esp. Promiscuous sexual relations. Run away 1 (often foll. By from) flee, abscond. 2 mentally evade (a problem etc.). Run away with 1 carry off. 2 win easily. 3 deprive of self-control, carry away. 4 consume (money etc.). 5 (of a horse) bolt with (a rider etc.). 6 leave home to have a relationship with (esp. Another person's husband or wife). Run down 1 knock down. 2 reduce the numbers etc. Of. 3 (of an unwound clock etc.) Stop. 4 discover after a search. 5 colloq. Disparage. Run dry 1 cease to flow. 2 = run out 1. Run for it seek safety by fleeing. Run (or good run) for one's money 1 vigorous or close competition. 2 some return for outlay or effort. Run the gauntlet see *gauntlet2. Run high (of feelings) be strong. Run in 1 run (an engine or vehicle) carefully when new. 2 colloq. Arrest. Run in the family (of a trait) be common in a family. Run into 1 collide with. 2 encounter. 3 reach as many as (a usu. High figure). Run into the ground colloq.