running: Meaning and Definition of
run•ning
Pronunciation: (run'ing), [key]
— n.
- the act of a person, animal, or thing that runs.
- managing or directing: the running of a business.
- an act or instance of racing: the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby.
- the condition of a track or surface to be run or raced on; footing: Our track team had muddy running today.
- the amount, quality, or type of a liquid flow.
- Who is still in the running for the directorship?
- participating or entered as a competitor.
- under consideration as a candidate or possible choice:Who is still in the running for the directorship?
- among the winners or those making a good showing.
- to finish out of the running.
- not competing in a contest or race.
- not among the winners or runners-up in a contest or race:to finish out of the running.
—adj.
- galloping, racing, moving, or passing rapidly.
- (of a horse)
- going or proceeding rapidly at the gait of a gallop.
- taught to proceed at a gallop.
- creeping or climbing, as plants: a running vine.
- moving or proceeding easily or smoothly.
- moving when pulled or hauled, as a rope.
- slipping or sliding easily, as a knot or a noose.
- operating or functioning, as a machine.
- (of measurement) linear; straight-line.
- cursive, as handwriting.
- flowing, as a stream.
- liquid or fluid.
- present; current: the running month.
- prevalent, as a condition or state: running prices.
- going or carried on continuously; sustained: a running commentary.
- extending or repeated continuously: a running pattern.
- performed with or during a run: a running leap.
- discharging pus or other matter: a running sore.
- noting any of various objects or assemblages of objects that may be moved in ordinary use: running bowsprit; running gaff.
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- noting any block of a tackle that moves.
- noting the part of the fall of a tackle that moves through the blocks (opposed to standing).
—adv.
- in succession; consecutively: He slept badly for three nights running.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.