run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

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

Noun

However Apple Intelligence ends up evolving, let its run-up serve two lessons. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Shelton’s accusations against Clippers executives in their run-up to signing Leonard depict the team as violating Article 35A of the NBA constitution. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2024

Verb

Kate Bush is ready to run up that music hill again. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

While in no way assured, the shift means Democratic nominee Kamala Harris could run up margins in small towns far from the big cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which traditionally get far more attention from presidential campaigns. —Chris Megerian, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill