running stitch

noun

: a small even stitch run in and out in cloth

Examples of running stitch 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.
Sew a hand-running stitch along the edge of one of the long sides. — Amy Mitchell, Country Living, 30 Aug. 2022 Cut away the excess fabric following around the hoop about one inch from the running stitch. — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2021 Measure one yard of thread before cutting it off and sew a basic running stitch down the center of the streamer. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 25 Aug. 2023 The easiest way to sew on the patch is with a simple running stitch, weaving in and out of the material in a straight line. — Ebony Roberts, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2021 The Sashiko Gals collective specializes in the traditional Japanese needlework technique of sashiko, which uses bold running stitches for reparative and decorative purposes. — Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of running stitch was in 1802

Rhymes for running stitch

See All Rhymes for running stitch

Browse Nearby Words

running start
running stitch
running story
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Running stitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20stitch. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

running stitch

noun
: a small even stitch run in and out in cloth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All