1
2
a
b
: one that smuggles or distributes illicit or contraband goods (such as drugs, liquor, or guns)
3
: any of several large vigorous carangid fishes
4
a
: either of the longitudinal pieces on which a sled or sleigh slides
b
: the part of a skate that slides on the ice : blade
c
: the support of a drawer or a sliding door
5
a
: an elongated horizontal stem arising from the base of a plant
especially
: stolon sense 1a
b
: a plant (such as a strawberry) that forms or spreads by means of runners
c
: a twining vine (such as a scarlet runner bean)
6
a
: a long narrow carpet for a hall or staircase
b
: a narrow decorative cloth cover for a table or dresser top
7
: an adjustable backstay running from mast to rail on a sail boat or ship
8
: a running shot in basketball
Examples of runner in a Sentence
The runner slid into third base.
sent a runner to tell them that all was ready for the feast
Recent Examples on the Web
Many a front runner has been tripped up on the way to Oscar Sunday so always beware.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
CeeDee Lamb is an elite route-runner who blows by man coverage.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Terrelle Pryor had at least 1,500 yards passing and receiving but finished with only 646 as a runner.
___
Inside the Numbers dives into NFL statistics, streaks and trends each week.
—CBS News, 25 Dec. 2025
The marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half-marathon will showcase the beachfront for 8 miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner
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Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2025
CeeDee Lamb is an elite route-runner who blows by man coverage.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Terrelle Pryor had at least 1,500 yards passing and receiving but finished with only 646 as a runner.
___
Inside the Numbers dives into NFL statistics, streaks and trends each week.
—CBS News, 25 Dec. 2025
The marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half-marathon will showcase the beachfront for 8 miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runner
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runner
noun
run·ner
ˈrən-ər 
1
a
: one that runs
b
2
3
: a thin piece or part on which something slides
4
a
: a slender creeping stem that arises from the base of a plant
especially
: stolon
b
: a plant (as a strawberry) that forms or spreads by runners
5
a
: a long narrow carpet (as for a hall)
b
: a narrow decorative cloth cover for a table or dresser top
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