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
Prior to the 2023 season, Major League Baseball announced a spate of rules designed to make stealing bases easier — instituting penalties for pitchers who take too much time between pitches, and fail to pick off a runner within three attempts.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
High-intensity runners will appreciate the wide toe box and double arch pods that make for the perfect stride every time.
—Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
As a runner, his value in the red zone was clear as day.
—Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Treinen came into Game 5 of the World Series in Yankee Stadium with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, runners on first and second and the Dodgers trailing 6-5.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for runner 
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show current usage.
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Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
High-intensity runners will appreciate the wide toe box and double arch pods that make for the perfect stride every time.
—Michelle Rostamian, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
As a runner, his value in the red zone was clear as day.
—Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Treinen came into Game 5 of the World Series in Yankee Stadium with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning, runners on first and second and the Dodgers trailing 6-5.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for runner
Dictionary Entries Near runner
Cite this Entry
“Runner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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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