running: Meaning and Definition of

run•ning

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