showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce showrunner (audio)
variants or less commonly show-runner or show runner
plural showrunners also show-runners or show runners
: a person who oversees the writing and production of each episode of a television series and has ultimate managerial and creative control over the series
A showrunner is more than just a producer. … They are making decisions about casting, story arcs, as well as the day-to-day issues of getting a show done and ready for air.—G. Michael Dobbs

Examples of showrunner 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.
For its part, 101 Studios has gone through numerous showrunner shuffles itself, mostly on Sheridan shows. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026 According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Season 3 of the show would be helmed by a new showrunner and new writers, and would feature new Titans from Legendary’s Monsterverse. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026 Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, who had been tapped as writer, executive producer and showrunner on the high-profile drama starring Eddie Murphy, has departed the series in the works at Peacock, Deadline has confirmed. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026 Executive producers on the project include Thornton, Geyer Kosinski, Tom Forman, David Metzler, Jordan Rosenblum and John Ealer, who is also the showrunner. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showrunner

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showrunner was in 1989

Rhymes for showrunner

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Browse Nearby Words

showroom
showrunner
show/see (someone) to the door
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Cite this Entry

“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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