running mate

noun

1

: companion

2

: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable

3

: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket

especially : the candidate for vice president

Synonyms

• associate
• cohort
• companion
• compatriot
• compeer
• comrade
• crony
• fellow
• hobnobber
• mate

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson.

inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school

Recent Examples on the Web

The videos generally painted Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in a negative light and implied that the security of U.S. elections is in shambles. —Loreben Tuquero, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Nov. 2024

During her campaign to find a running mate, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was one of the top contenders. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024

Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, avoided debates and interviews where their statements would be fact-checked. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Harris was joined by her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, along with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and other family members and campaign staff. —Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

running mate

noun

: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office