1
British
: the final part of a race or racetrack
2
3
: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter
ran in; run in; running in; runs in
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
: to pay a casual visit
Synonyms
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
Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 24 June 2024
Travis Scott, on the other hand, had a recent run-in with the law when he was arrested in Miami and charged with disorderly intoxication and trespassing.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 21 June 2024
Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 June 2024
After the railroad stopped running in the 1950s, Seminole acquired the right-of-way in 1984 from the Florida Department of Transportation, according to county records.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for run-in 
Noun
Border police have had violent run-ins with members, and the thought of a potential border wall is seen as a travesty here – a mutilation of the land itself.
—Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 24 June 2024
Travis Scott, on the other hand, had a recent run-in with the law when he was arrested in Miami and charged with disorderly intoxication and trespassing.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 21 June 2024
Verb
Montaño, who ran in the U.S. championships while eight months pregnant in 2014, penned a 2019 op-ed in the New York Times criticizing Nike’s sponsorship policies for pregnant athletes.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 20 June 2024
After the railroad stopped running in the 1950s, Seminole acquired the right-of-way in 1984 from the Florida Department of Transportation, according to county records.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for run-in
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'run-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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