3
a
: incessant, continuous
a running battle
a running joke/gag
b
: made during the course of a process or activity
a running commentary on the game
4
: measured in a straight line
cost of lumber per running foot
5
a
: initiated or performed while running or with a running start
a running catch
a running jump
b
: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing
their running game was off
c
: designed for use by runners
a running track
running shoes
6
: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping
a running horse
: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Examples of running in a Sentence
Noun
He took up running for exercise.
They go running every evening.
Adjective
Never add fuel to a running engine.
The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease.
The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.
She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip.
Adverb
He has won the competition three times running.
he won the championship five times running
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Except for the Kentucky Derby winner going for the Triple Crown, the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes has a little bit of everything.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Smart ideas While this was going on, the brothers held a running conversation.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for running
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The bright spots Saturday, at least in the early stages, was the play of the Evans defense, new quarterback Will Jackson and transfer running backs O’Ryan Hartfield, from Ocoee, and Davion Williams, from Poinciana.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Except for the Kentucky Derby winner going for the Triple Crown, the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes has a little bit of everything.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Adjective
Just ask Harris, whose handling of the border under Biden became a running joke in politics.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Smart ideas While this was going on, the brothers held a running conversation.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for running
Cite this Entry
“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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