move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time

the dog ran across the road

she ran the last few yards, breathing heavily

he hasn't paid for his drinks—run and catch him

pass or cause to pass quickly in a particular direction

the rumour ran through the pack of photographers

Helen ran her fingers through her hair

(with reference to a liquid) flow or cause to flow

a small river runs into the sea at one side of the castle

she ran cold water into a basin

extend or cause to extend in a particular direction

cobbled streets run down to a tiny harbour

he ran a wire under the carpet

(of a bus, train, ferry, or other form of transport) make a regular journey on a particular route

buses run into town every half hour

be in charge of; manage

Andrea runs her own catering business

an attractive family-run hotel

be in or cause to be in operation; function or cause to function

the car runs on unleaded fuel

the modem must be run off a mains transformer

continue or be valid or operative for a particular period of time

the course ran for two days

this particular debate will run and run

stand as a candidate in an election

he announced that he intended to run for President

publish or be published in a newspaper or magazine

the tabloid press ran the story

when the story ran, there was a big to-do

bring (goods) into a country illegally and secretly; smuggle

they run drugs for the cocaine cartels

cost (someone) (a specified amount)

a new photocopier will run us about $1,300

(of a stocking or pair of tights) develop a ladder

provide

the wait-and-see game continues until the government runs some ready cash

an act or spell of running

I usually go for a run in the morning

a cross-country run

a journey accomplished or route taken by a vehicle, aircraft, or boat, especially on a regular basis

the London–Liverpool run

an opportunity or attempt to achieve something

their absence means the Russians will have a clear run at the title

a continuous spell of a particular situation or condition

he's had a run of bad luck

a widespread and sudden demand for (a commodity) or a widespread trading in (a currency)

there's been a big run on nostalgia toys this year

the average or usual type of person or thing

the new trooper stood out from the general run of eager youth crowding to enlist

a sloping snow-covered course or track used for skiing, bobsleighing, or tobogganing

a ski run

an enclosed area in which domestic animals or birds may run freely in the open

an excellent and safe guinea pig run

free and unrestricted use of or access to

her cats were given the run of the house

a unit of scoring achieved by hitting the ball so that both batters are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances

a vertical line of unravelled stitches in stockings or tights; a ladder

she had a run in her nylons

a downward trickle of paint or a similar substance when applied too thickly

varnish should be applied with care to avoid runs and an uneven surface

diarrhoea

the after part of a ship's bottom where it rises and narrows towards the stern