Run
/rĘŚn/
Run refers to moving quickly on foot, operating a system or organization, the flow of liquid, being a candidate in an election, or a continuous series of events or performances.
Examples
- They ran to catch the bus before it left.
- He ran as an independent candidate.
- He ran the department efficiently for years.
- She runs a successful bakery downtown.
- They are running the machines 24 hours a day.
Meanings
From Old English rinnan, meaning 'to run, flow, or go'. Related to Old Norse rinna and Dutch runnen. Originally applied to movement and flowing water, it has broadened significantly over time.
Examples
- She can run faster than anyone on the team.
- They ran to catch the bus before it left.
- He is running in the park every morning.
- I ran into an old friend yesterday.
- They have been running the same route for weeks.
Extended from the sense of continuous motion to managing ongoing processes. By the 15th century, 'run' was used to describe the operation of machinery or businesses, reflecting sustained activity.
Examples
- She runs a successful bakery downtown.
- He ran the department efficiently for years.
- They are running the machines 24 hours a day.
- We ran out of coffee by noon.
- The software runs smoothly on older computers.
One of the original meanings in Old English, referring to the movement of water. This sense remains productive, especially in environmental and mechanical contexts.
Examples
- The river runs through the valley.
- Tears ran down her face during the movie.
- Oil is running out of the engine.
- The tap ran all night and flooded the floor.
- Blood ran from the cut on his hand.
Derived from the idea of 'running a race' in competition. First used in U.S. political contexts in the 1700s, comparing elections to footraces.
Examples
- She will run for mayor next year.
- He ran as an independent candidate.
- They are running on a platform of reform.
- No one else ran for the school board position.
- The incumbent has run unopposed twice.
Developed from the general sense of continuous movement. By the 1700s, 'run' was used to describe uninterrupted performances of plays or winning streaks in sports.
Examples
- The play had a three-month run on Broadway.
- The team is on a winning run.
- This is their fifth run of the season.
- The machine had a long run without maintenance.
- He ran a streak of perfect attendance.