run meaning, definition, and synonyms

Run is a very common English word with many meanings. It can describe moving quickly on foot, operating a machine or program, lasting for a period of time, a race, or several other senses. The synonyms that fit depend on which meaning is intended.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /rʌn/

Easy pronunciation: RUN (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, with primary stress on the whole word.

Verb meaning to move fast on foot, with one foot off the ground at a time.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Run Meaning

to move quickly on foot

Part of speech: verb

Definition: move fast by using your feet, with one foot off the ground at a time

Example: Don't run—you'll be out of breath.

Synonyms for this meaning:

hightail it — Informal; works as a substitute only in casual speech.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Run

Meaning 2

to work or be on

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be operating, running or functioning

Example: The car is still running—turn it off!

Synonyms for this meaning:

function — A good substitute when something works properly.
operate — A strong fit for machines and systems.
work — Very common in everyday English.

Meaning 3

to start and use a program or process

Part of speech: verb

Definition: carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine

Example: run a new program on the Mac

Synonyms for this meaning:

execute — Best in technical or formal contexts.

Meaning 4

to take part in a race

Part of speech: verb

Definition: compete in a race

Example: he is running the Marathon this year

Synonyms for this meaning:

race — Related, but less precise as a direct substitute.

Meaning 5

to be a candidate for office

Part of speech: verb

Definition: run, stand, or compete for an office or a position

Example: Who's running for treasurer this year?

Synonyms for this meaning:

campaign — Works when someone is trying to win an election.

Meaning 6

to last for a time

Part of speech: verb

Definition: extend or continue for a certain period of time

Example: The film runs 5 hours

Synonyms for this meaning:

run for — This is the direct sense in phrases like 'runs for five hours'.

Meaning 7

to extend across a distance

Part of speech: verb

Definition: stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point

Example: Service runs all the way to Cranbury

Synonyms for this meaning:

extend — A strong fit when something stretches across space or time.
lead — Works when a route or line goes somewhere.
pass — Works in some route-and-distance uses, but less exact.

Meaning 8

to tend to be a certain way

Part of speech: verb

Definition: have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

Example: These dresses run small

Synonyms for this meaning:

tend — A close everyday substitute.
incline — Works, though a little more formal.
lean — Can fit in some contexts, but is less exact.

Meaning 9

to escape quickly

Part of speech: verb

Definition: flee; take to one's heels; cut and run

Example: If you see this man, run!

Synonyms for this meaning:

escape — A clear general substitute.
turn tail — Informal and strongly implies sudden flight.
scat — Very informal; fits only in casual speech.

Meaning 10

a foot race

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a race run on foot

Example: she broke the record for the half-mile run

Synonyms for this meaning:

foot race — Direct and clear.
footrace — Direct and clear.

Meaning 11

a point scored in baseball

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

Example: the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th

Synonyms for this meaning:

tally — General sports word; works, but is less specific than run in baseball.

Meaning 12

a streak or series

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an unbroken series of events

Example: Nicklaus had a run of birdies

Synonyms for this meaning:

streak — A strong everyday substitute.

Meaning 13

the act of running

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace

Example: he broke into a run

Synonyms for this meaning:

running — A direct match in this sense.

Meaning 14

a ladder in fabric or stockings

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a row of unravelled stitches

Example: she got a run in her stocking

Synonyms for this meaning:

ladder — The normal word for this in clothing and hosiery.

Meaning 15

a flow or discharge of liquid

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the pouring forth of a fluid

Example: a run of fluid from the pipe

Synonyms for this meaning:

discharge — More technical; works for fluids leaving something.
outpouring — More figurative or general.

Meaning 16

to make a regular trip

Part of speech: verb

Definition: travel a route regularly

Example: The bus runs between the city and the airport every hour.

Synonyms for this meaning:

ply — A good fit for regular transport routes.

Meaning 17

to vary within a range

Part of speech: verb

Definition: change or be different within limits

Example: Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent

Synonyms for this meaning:

range — A strong direct substitute.

Meaning 18

to survive or stay in use

Part of speech: verb

Definition: continue to exist

Example: That tradition still runs in the family.

Synonyms for this meaning:

endure — A strong general substitute.
persist — A strong fit when something continues over time.
prevail — Works in some contexts, especially ideas or customs.

Meaning 19

to melt

Part of speech: verb

Definition: reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating

Example: The heat will run the wax.

Synonyms for this meaning:

melt — A direct substitute.
melt down — Direct and idiomatic in this sense.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Run Synonyms

Similar Meaning

function
operate
work

move fast on foot

hightail it

be operating or functioning

function
operate
work

carry out a computer program or process

execute

take part in a race

race

be a candidate for office

campaign

last for a period of time

run for

extend across a distance

extend
lead
pass

tend to be a certain way

tend
incline
lean

escape quickly

escape
turn tail
scat

a foot race

foot race
footrace

a baseball score

tally

a streak or series

streak

the act of running

running

a ladder in fabric or stockings

ladder

a flow or discharge of liquid

discharge
outpouring

make regular trips

vary within a range

range

continue to exist

endure
persist
prevail

melt

melt
melt down

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Confusing run the verb with run the noun meaning a race, a streak, or a route.
Using race as a synonym for run in every sense; it only fits the competition sense.
Mixing up run meaning 'operate' with run meaning 'move quickly on foot'.
Assuming run always means 'move fast'; it also means 'function', 'last', 'extend', 'campaign', and several other things.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of run?

The most common everyday meaning is to move fast on foot.

What are good synonyms for run?

Good synonyms depend on the sense. For the 'operate' meaning, function, operate, and work are strong choices. For the 'move fast on foot' meaning, there are fewer exact substitutes.

Is run a noun or a verb?

It can be both. As a verb, it has many meanings. As a noun, it can mean a race, a streak, a turn of stitches, or a score in baseball.

Why are there so many meanings of run?

Run is a very old and flexible English word, so it has developed many related and specialized uses over time.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.