runner
person who runs, esp. for sport
A person who runs, often for sport or to keep fit.
[someone] is a [adjective] runner
- She’s an experienced marathon runner who trains six days a week.
- I’m not a very fast runner, but I can go for a long time.
- He used to be a sprinter, but now he’s more of a casual runner.
- The club welcomes runners of all ages and abilities.
- Many runners wear reflective clothing when they train at night.
- My sister is a good runner.
- I want to be a better runner this year.
- Many runners use a watch to see their time.
- He is the fastest runner in our class.
- The runners waited at the start line.
person who does small jobs or errands
A worker at a low level who runs around doing small jobs for other people, like taking messages or moving things.
[someone] works as a runner on [a show / a production]
- She started out as a production runner before becoming a camera operator.
- The office runner takes documents between the different departments.
- We’ll need an extra runner on set tomorrow to help with props.
- He got his first job in television as a runner on a morning show.
- The runner spent the whole day delivering hard drives across town.
- He works as a runner in a TV studio.
- The runner brings coffee for the team.
- A runner often carries messages from one office to another.
- She got a job as a runner on a small film.
- The boss asked the runner to take the files to the lawyer.
baseball player on a base
In baseball, a player who is standing on a base and trying to move to the next base and score.
the runner on [first/second/third] (base)
- The runner on third scored on a wild pitch.
- With two outs and a runner on first, the batter tried to hit to the opposite field.
- The shortstop tagged the runner before he could reach the base.
- They brought in a pinch runner to replace the slow catcher.
- Both runners advanced on the passed ball.
- There is a runner on first base.
- The runner tries to go to second base.
- The fielder throws the ball to get the runner out.
- A fast runner can score more easily.
- They put in a new runner because he is very fast.
long narrow rug or cloth strip
A long, thin rug or cloth that covers part of a floor, stairs, or table.
a runner on [the floor / the stairs / the table]
- They put a runner down the hallway to protect the wooden floor.
- A red carpet runner covered the steps up to the stage.
- We bought a linen table runner for the dining room.
- The stair runner makes the steps quieter and less slippery.
- She chose a patterned runner to add color to the corridor.
- There is a long runner in the hall.
- We have a runner on the stairs for safety.
- She put a white runner on the table.
- The runner makes the floor feel warm.
- They bought a new hall runner for their apartment.
horizontal stem producing new plants
A thin stem from a plant that grows along the ground and makes new baby plants.
[a plant] sends out runners
- Strawberry plants spread quickly by sending out runners.
- You can cut the runners and plant them to grow new strawberries.
- The runners took root wherever they touched the soil.
- Gardeners often remove some runners so the main plant stays strong.
- These plants produce long runners that cover the ground in summer.
- This strawberry plant has many runners.
- The runner grows on the soil and makes a new plant.
- She cut the runners and put them in new pots.
- The runners help the plant to spread.
- New plants grow at the end of each runner.
person who moves illegal goods
A person who moves illegal things like drugs or guns from one place to another for criminals.
a [drug / gun] runner
- Police arrested two drug runners at the border.
- The gun runner supplied weapons to several criminal gangs.
- He acted as a low-level runner, delivering packages for the cartel.
- Authorities say the runners used fishing boats to move the cocaine.
- The runner was caught with several kilograms of heroin in his car.
- The police stopped a drug runner near the city.
- A gun runner sells guns in a secret and illegal way.
- He worked as a runner for a big gang.
- The runner carried the drugs across the border.
- The runner went to prison for moving illegal goods.
sliding bar or blade under object
A long, thin part under or beside something that helps it slide, like under a sled or a drawer.
a runner on [a sled / a drawer / a ski]
- The drawer came off its runner and wouldn’t close properly.
- The sledge runners were waxed so it would move faster over the snow.
- Check that the runners on your skis are smooth and free of rust.
- The metal runners allow the door to slide quietly.
- He replaced the broken runners under the kitchen drawers.
- The drawer will not open because the runner is broken.
- The sled has two runners under it.
- The runners on the skis must be smooth.
- He cleaned the metal runners so the door could slide.
- The chair has no runners; it has legs.
horse or competitor in a race
An animal or other competitor that is in a race, especially in horse or dog racing.
[a race] has [number] runners
- There are twelve runners in the 3.30 race at Ascot.
- Two runners were withdrawn due to the heavy ground.
- All the remaining runners are now going down to the start.
- The favorite is one of only six runners in this event.
- Several runners struggled with the soft conditions.
- There are ten runners in today’s race.
- One runner did not start because it was sick.
- The runners are ready at the start line.
- Only a few runners finished the long race.
- Each runner has a number and a name.
repeated joke or theme in a show
In TV or comedy, a joke or idea that comes back again and again in the show.
a runner through [a show / a series]
- The writers added a small runner about his broken phone in every episode.
- We need a visual runner that ties the sketches together.
- That misunderstanding became a runner throughout the whole series.
- Her strange hat collection is a comic runner in the film.
- They decided to drop the runner because audiences didn’t find it funny.
- The show has a funny runner about his old car.
- Her red shoes are a runner in every episode.
- The same joke comes back as a runner in the film.
- Writers used the dog as a runner in the story.
- That runner makes the series feel connected.
- Base: runner
- Plural: runners
front-runner
1most likely winner or choice
The person, team, or idea that is most likely to win or be chosen.
- He is the clear front-runner in the presidential race.
- Their proposal is now the front-runner for the new project.
runner-up
1person or team in second place
A person or team who finishes in second place in a competition.
- She was the runner-up in last year’s marathon.
- The team finished as runners-up in the national championship.