1
: the act of running up something
2
: a usually sudden increase in volume or price
3
: a period immediately preceding an action or event
ran up; run up; running up; runs up
: to grow rapidly : shoot up
1
: bid up
2
: to stitch together quickly
3
: to erect hastily
4
: to achieve by accumulating
ran up a big lead
Examples of run-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
There was no corporate news driving the big run-up, but a confluence of market dynamics.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 22 July 2025
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Stewart played the game’s first 3:27 and appeared to injure her leg running up the court in transition.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
There was even more drama though as Kelly – with her unique run-up before her penalty, comprising of a hop and a jump – had her penalty saved but managed to tap home to clinch a dramatic win.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
There was no corporate news driving the big run-up, but a confluence of market dynamics.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 22 July 2025
Verb
The House and Senate have just gone along with Trump running up the deficit again, passing the budget bill with no thought for tomorrow.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Stewart played the game’s first 3:27 and appeared to injure her leg running up the court in transition.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
Cite this Entry
“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share