showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce showrunner (audio)
variants or less commonly show-runner or show runner
plural showrunners also show-runners or show runners
: a person who oversees the writing and production of each episode of a television series and has ultimate managerial and creative control over the series
A showrunner is more than just a producer. He or she is the creator or co-creator of a show and is a writer as well. These people are the guiding lights for a production. They are making decisions about casting, story arcs, as well as the day-to-day issues of getting a show done and ready for air.G. Michael Dobbs

Examples of showrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Led by showrunner Josh Zetumer, with a writers’ room composed of Joe Murtagh, Claire Baron, and Kirsten Sheridan, Say Nothing plows through set pieces with a lightness that mimics the fire of youthful conviction in its early stretch. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 The Diplomat showrunner Debora Cahn previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the idea for the season-two ending was connected to knowing Janney was boarding the series. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 Mundy, who serves as showrunner, Lindelof and King are co-writing and executive producing. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024 Eric Friedman serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside writers and executive producers Alex Fox and Rachel Songwriter Diane Warren and Bahareh Batmang are executive producers, and Warren wrote the songs in the pilot. Marc Berman, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for showrunner 

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showrunner was in 1989

Dictionary Entries Near showrunner

Cite this Entry

“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!