run-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin 

1

British : the final part of a race or racetrack

2

: altercation, quarrel

3

: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter

run in

2 of 2

verb

ran in; run in; running in; runs in

transitive verb

1

a

: to insert as additional matter

b

: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break

2

: to arrest for a usually minor offense

3

chiefly British : to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation

intransitive verb

: to pay a casual visit

Synonyms

Noun

• brush
• encounter
• hassle
• scrape
• skirmish

Verb

• call
• come by
• come over
• drop by
• drop in
• pop (in)
• run (over)
• step in
• stop (by or in)
• visit

Examples of run-in in a Sentence

Noun

the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Verb

I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.

if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The timing of the target date fund changes is similar to another recent Vanguard legal run-in. —Jesse Pound,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

An easier run-in doesn't count for a lot when your difficult start contributed to fatigue, injuries, and stale attacking play. —James McNicholas, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Verb

As an independent, Walden hasn’t absolutely ruled out running in the June 24 Democratic primary in which Adams already faces a sprawling field of challengers. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025

The Last Showgirl, whose Hollywood premiere was one of the events canceled due to the devastating LA fires, lands exclusively in theaters on Friday, January 10, 2025, after a limited awards qualifying run in December. —Simon Thompson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

run-in

noun

ˈrən-ˌin

: an angry dispute : quarrel