1
: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2
: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material
ran off; run off; running off; runs off
1
a
: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
b
: to cause to be run or played to a finish
c
: to decide (a race) by a runoff
d
2
: to drain off : draw off
3
a
: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)
b
: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away
see also:
Examples of runoff in a Sentence
Verb
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Recent Examples on the Web
Reed Williams, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Earlier this spring, Cornyn eked out a win in the primary, but, because neither candidate earned a majority, the two men will compete in a runoff, on May 26th.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 May 2026
The Honda ran off the road to the right, traveled through a yard and struck a tree in front of a house on Flora Ave before coming to rest, according to a crash log.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for runoff
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Noun
Robb Pitts, who has been chairman of the Fulton County Commission since 2017, appears headed for a June 16 runoff election against former Commissioner Mo Ivory, who gave up her seat on the commission earlier this year to mount a campaign against the longtime politician.
—Reed Williams, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Earlier this spring, Cornyn eked out a win in the primary, but, because neither candidate earned a majority, the two men will compete in a runoff, on May 26th.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Verb
After Coltrane runs off and escapes and Isiah tends to his vengeance-seeking son Noah’s leg wound?
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 May 2026
The Honda ran off the road to the right, traveled through a yard and struck a tree in front of a house on Flora Ave before coming to rest, according to a crash log.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runoff
1 of 2 noun
run·off
ˈrən-ˌȯf 
1
: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor
2
: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams
run off
2 of 2 verbˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
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