Runner Meaning
/ˈɹʌnɚ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAgent noun of run; one who runs.
nounAgent noun of run; one who runs., A person who moves, on foot, at a fast pace, especially an athlete.
Sentence Examples
The first baseman tagged the runner out.
A runner must pass the baton in a relay race.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The marathon ____ crossed the finish line after running for over twenty-six miles.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ crossed the finish line in first place, breaking the national record.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English rennere, rynner, urnare, equivalent to run + -er. Cognate with Old Norse rennari (“runner; messenger”). Displaced earlier Middle English runel (“runner”), from Old English rynel (“runner”; also “messenger, courier”). ((botany) a long stolon sent by a plant): Compare typologically Russian побе́г (pobég) (akin to бежа́ть (bežátʹ)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] at least half of which would be put into the pool for the winner, the rest kept for the runners of the system to cover costs and more than likely make a fair profit."
— 1998 June 12, Daniel Jonathan Kirk, “tipping competitions”, in aus.legal (Usenet):
"The modus operandi used by the idol and antique runners is to order consignments of fakes."
— 1992, Hamendar Bhisham Pal, The Plunder of Art, page 75:
"By 1963, Carmine was working as a "runner" for an accounting firm, and he would drop by 1619 Broadway to knock on doors in hopes of selling off some of his songs"
— 1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, →ISBN, page 242:
"“Then you divide your army amongst the various houses where restorations are ordered for Jubilee day?” / “Certainly—say one waiter to ten guests—if it was a dinner we should send one waiter to six guests—with runners, of course.” / “Runners?” / “Omnibuses you call them here—young ones—apprentices—who wait on the waiters.” / “Run everywhere, do anything?”"
— 1897 June 19, “The Jubilee Waiters. Some Words with the Maître d’Hôtel.”, in The Daily News, number 15,984, London, →OCLC, page 2, column 6:
"[…] the chef can send a runner to see why not and if the waiter has forgotten about the order, a runner can cover and serve."
— 1989, Caterer & Hotelkeeper, volume 180, page 83:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The marathon ____ crossed the finish line after running for over twenty-six miles.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ crossed the finish line in first place, breaking the national record.