runaway

1 of 3

noun

run·​away ˈrə-nə-ˌwā How to pronounce runaway (audio)
1
: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also : something (such as a horse) that is running out of control
3
: a one-sided or overwhelming victory

runaway

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: running away : fugitive
b
: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)
runaway shipping firms
a runaway shop
2
: accomplished by elopement or during flight
3
: won by or having a long lead
a runaway success
also : extremely successful
a runaway bestseller
4
: subject to uncontrolled changes
runaway inflation
5
: being or operating out of control
a runaway oil well
a runaway nuclear reactor

run away

3 of 3

verb

ran away; run away; running away; runs away

intransitive verb

1
a
: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something
b
: to leave home
especially : elope
2
: to run out of control : stampede, bolt
3
: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin

see also run away with

Examples of runaway in a Sentence

Adjective The play was a runaway success. a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl Verb ran away from an unhappy marriage the child runs away from large dogs
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
Thermal runaway causes a chain reaction that dramatically raises the battery's temperature, quickly escalating the fire to uncontrollable levels. Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 The investigation of the defendant began in October 2021 when a detective contacted an Orange County investigator about a 17-year-old runaway, Deputy District Attorney Taylor Krone said in his opening statement of the trial. City News Service, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Re-ignition Risk: Even after being extinguished, lithium-ion batteries can reignite due to residual heat and thermal runaway effects that can impact surrounding cells. Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 The runaway success of Fotos is hardly shocking coming from an artist of Bunny’s size and caliber, but the arc of its first couple weeks is still unusual enough to make people take notice. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
The roar of violent explosions, the sky turning red, screams, the buildings shaking, the people running away from the various premises. Barbie Latza Nadeau and George Ramsay, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 And Howard’s near-perfect night let the Buckeyes run away from Notre Dame in the title game. Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for runaway 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of runaway was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near runaway

Cite this Entry

“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runaway. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

runaway

1 of 3 noun
run·​away ˈrən-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce runaway (audio)
1
: a person who runs away : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also : something (as a horse) that is running out of control

runaway

2 of 3 adjective
1
: running away : fugitive
2
: being out of control

run away

3 of 3 verb
ˌrən-ə-ˈwā
1
: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement
2
: to leave home

More from Merriam-Webster on runaway

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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