the long run

noun

: a long period of time after the beginning of something
investing for the long run
Your solution may cause more problems over the long run.
It may be our best option in the long run.
This deal will cost you more in the long run.

Examples of the long run 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.
But, if the bride and groom were happy with how the day went, that’s probably all that matters in the long run. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 July 2026 This means a larger portion of your cash will be invested directly in your home in the long run. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Developing a regular habit can benefit both muscle and memory in the long run. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 July 2026 That said, in the long run, some drivers are trading reliability and refinement for noise and attention. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for the long run

Rhymes for the long run

See All Rhymes for the long run

Browse Nearby Words

the long jump
the long run
the long term
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The long run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20run. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All