run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp How to pronounce run-up (audio)
Synonyms of run-upnext
1
: the act of running up something
2
: a usually sudden increase in volume or price
3
: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1
: bid up
2
: to stitch together quickly
3
: to erect hastily
4
: to achieve by accumulating
ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The center of gravity for back-to-school marketing will keep drifting later, with promotional pushes in the first two weeks of September becoming as strategically important as the late-July run-up. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 While inflation has fallen the last two months, that only occurred after a very steady run-up earlier in the year. — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
The offensive play in general was far from crisp, with little downfield passing, and a lot of running up the middle. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Clark eventually checked in midway through the first quarter, as Team USA started to run up the scoreboard early on China, with Young scoring seven of the team’s first 20 points. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for run-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of run-up was in the 14th century

Rhymes for run-up

See All Rhymes for run-up

Browse Nearby Words

runty
run-up
run up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

run up

verb
: to cause to pile up : accumulate
ran up a big telephone bill

More from Merriam-Webster on run-up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for run-up

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