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
Delta is still analysts’ favorite pick for long-term investors, but the stock’s run-up prompted the rating change. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Norway’s Jørgen Strand Larsen couldn’t convert a penalty kick after a very slow and hesitant run-up. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Verb
Reformer drop-ins, by comparison, start at $35 and run up to $60. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 The hype of artificial intelligence is running up against pricey realities, at least for now. — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 2 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

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!

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