to run an errand

to run an errand

to perform or accomplish by or as if by running

(tr) to perform or accomplish by or as if by running to run an errand

John is running third

John is running third

to run in or finish a race as specified, esp in a particular position

(intr) to run in or finish a race as specified, esp in a particular position John is running third

to pass over (a distance, route, etc) in running

(tr) to pass over (a distance, route, etc) in running to run a mile ; run a race

(of a four-legged creature) to move at a rapid gait; gallop or canter

(of a two-legged creature) to move on foot at a rapid pace so that both feet are off the ground together for part of each stride

(intr) to flee; run away they took to their heels and ran

(tr) to bring into a specified state or condition by running to run oneself to a standstill

(tr) to track down or hunt (an animal) to run a fox to earth

(intr) to move about freely and without restraint the children are running in the garden

( intr usually foll by to ) to go or have recourse, as for aid, assistance, etc he's always running to his mother when he's in trouble

(tr) to set (animals) loose on (a field or tract of land) so as to graze freely

(intr ; often foll by over, round or up) to make a short trip or brief informal visit I'll run over to your house this afternoon

to move quickly and easily on wheels by rolling, or in any of certain other ways a ball running along the ground ; a sledge running over snow

to move or cause to move with a specified result or in a specified manner to run a ship aground ; to run into a tree

( often foll by over) to move or pass or cause to move or pass quickly to run a vacuum cleaner over the carpet ; to run one's eyes over a page

(tr ; foll by into, out of, through, etc ) to force, thrust, or drive she ran a needle into her finger

(tr) to drive or maintain and operate (a vehicle)

(tr) to give a lift to (someone) in a vehicle; transport he ran her to the railway station

to ply or cause to ply between places on a route the bus runs from Piccadilly to Golders Green

to operate or be operated; function or cause to function the engine is running smoothly

(tr) to perform or carry out to run tests

(tr) to be in charge of; manage to run a company

to extend or continue or cause to extend or continue in a particular direction, for a particular duration or distance, etc the road runs north ; the play ran for two years ; the months ran into years

(intr) law to have legal force or effect the lease runs for two more years to accompany; be an integral part of or adjunct to an easement runs with the land

(tr) to be subjected to, be affected by, or incur to run a risk ; run a temperature

( intr often foll by to ) to be characterized (by); tend or incline her taste runs to extravagant hats ; to run to fat

(intr) to recur persistently or be inherent red hair runs in my family

to cause or allow (liquids) to flow or (of liquids) to flow, esp in a manner specified water ran from the broken pipe ; the well has run dry

(intr) to melt and flow the wax grew hot and began to run

metallurgy to melt or fuse (tr) to mould or cast (molten metal) to run lead into ingots

(intr) (of waves, tides, rivers, etc) to rise high, surge, or be at a specified height a high sea was running that night

(intr) to be diffused the colours in my dress ran when I washed it

(intr) (of stitches) to unravel or come undone or (of a garment) to have stitches unravel or come undone if you pull that thread the whole seam will run

to sew (an article) with continuous stitches

(intr) (of growing vines, creepers, etc) to trail, spread, or climb ivy running over a cottage wall

(intr) to spread or circulate quickly a rumour ran through the town

(intr) to be stated or reported his story runs as follows

to publish or print or be published or printed in a newspaper, magazine, etc they ran his story in the next issue

( often foll by for) mainly US and Canadian to be a candidate or present as a candidate for political or other office Anderson is running for president

(tr) to get past or through; evade to run a blockade

(tr) to deal in (arms, etc), esp by importing illegally he runs guns for the rebels

nautical to sail (a vessel, esp a sailing vessel) or (of such a vessel) to be sailed with the wind coming from astern

(intr) (of fish) to migrate upstream from the sea, esp in order to spawn to swim rapidly in any area of water, esp during migration

(tr) cricket to score (a run or number of runs) by hitting the ball and running between the wickets

(tr) billiards snooker to make (a number of successful shots) in sequence

(tr) golf to hit (the ball) so that it rolls along the ground

(tr) bridge to cash (all one's winning cards in a long suit) successively

run a bath to turn on the taps to fill a bath with water for bathing oneself

run close to compete closely with; present a serious challenge to he got the job, but a younger man ran him close

run for it informal to attempt to escape from arrest, etc, by running