runoff

1 of 2

noun

run·​off ˈrən-ˌȯf 

1

: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor

2

: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material

run off

2 of 2

verb

ran off; run off; running off; runs off

transitive verb

1

a

: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly

b

: to cause to be run or played to a finish

c

: to decide (a race) by a runoff

d

: carry out

2

: to drain off : draw off

3

a

: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)

b

: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away

intransitive verb

: run away sense 1

see also run off with

Synonyms

Verb

• banish
• boot (out)
• bounce
• cast out
• chase
• dismiss
• drum (out)
• eject
• expel
• extrude
• kick out
• oust
• out
• rout
• throw out
• turf (out) [chiefly British]
• turn out

Examples of runoff in a Sentence

Verb

the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property

their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That’s despite the fact that during big storms in mid-February, reservoir operators increased releases of water significantly from some of the largest, such as Shasta and Oroville, to create room to catch more runoff and reduce the risk of flooding downstream. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025

Southern California's latest weather deluge may be on its way – a hot spell that could drive temperatures into the low 90s before plummeting as the region reels from wildfires and toxic runoff. —Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025

Verb

In December, in Levittown on Long Island, a man ignited a porta potty outside a house under construction, then ran off down the street, blazing away. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025

Since a loss to Florida on February 8th, the Tigers have run off six consecutive victories, led by senior forward Johni Broome, who leads the team with 18.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for runoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

runoff

1 of 2 noun

run·​off ˈrən-ˌȯf 

1

: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor

2

: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams

run off

2 of 2 verb

ˈrən-ˈȯf,

ˌrən-

1

: to produce rapidly

2

: to decide by a runoff

3

: to drive away

4

: run away sense 1