run out

verb

ran out; run out; running out; runs out
Synonyms of run outnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to come to an end : expire
time ran out
b
: to become exhausted or used up
the gasoline ran out
2
: to jut out

transitive verb

1
a
: to finish out (a course, a series, a contest, etc.) : complete
b
of a baseball batter : to run hard to first base after hitting (a batted ball)
ran out the grounder
2
a
: to fill out (a typeset line) with quads, leaders, or ornaments
b
: to set (a line of text, such as the first line of a paragraph) with a hanging indention
3
: to exhaust (oneself) in running
4
: to cause to leave by force or coercion : expel

see also run out of, run out on

Examples of run out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Much of the Department of Homeland Security is set to run out of money Saturday morning after negotiations stalled between the White House and congressional Democrats over new restrictions on federal immigration agents and lawmakers left town without funding the department. Riley Beggin, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026 At the end of a long day, taking inventory of the fridge, cracking a cookbook open, or running out to the grocery store in order to figure out a dinner plan can seem overwhelming. Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 The entire country could run out of oil within days, experts say. Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026 Despite the growing popularity of compact electric tools, the FixBuddy Ratchet takes a fully manual approach – no batteries required, which eliminates the risk of running out of power in the middle of a job. Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for run out

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of run out was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Run out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run%20out. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

run out

verb
1
: to come to an end : expire
time ran out before we could tie the game
2
: to become exhausted or used up
our supplies were running out

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