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.
Horses brought the firefighting apparatus and a big steed, aptly named Goliath, sensed the danger and ran out of the way, not before being injured. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 Maybe Christ is timing His second coming right before the world runs out of fossil fuels. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026 The House Committee on Homeland Security is scheduled to hold a hearing next Tuesday and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security will meet next Thursday, one day before funding runs out for the Department of Homeland Security. Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026 Ghofranian climbed to the top of the castle walls and spotted a child running out of some nearby woods. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 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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