Runoff Meaning
/rˈʌˌnɔf/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThat portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area.
nounDissolved chemicals, etc, included in such water.
Sentence Examples
Runoff from upstream development had almost destroyed all aquatic life in the stream.
These runoff elections will decide who will gain control of the Senate.
The runoff ended up infiltrating into the permeable soil.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the heavy rain, the ____ from the fields flowed into the river.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Heavy rainfall caused significant ____ that carried topsoil into the nearby river.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English run offdeverb. English runoff Deverbal from run off.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The next series of high tides or large waves will tend to rebuild the berm and redam the stream. Ultimately, increased runoff due to fall or winter rains will raise the stream level to the point where it breaks through."
— 1994, Ruth Patrick, Rivers of the United States, Estuaries, page 138:
"Toxic runoff from rare earth mines in Myanmar is contaminating rivers that flow into Thailand, threatening the Mekong River and its basin's fisheries and farmland."
— 2026 April 29, The Associated Press, “Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening ‘the world’s kitchen’”, in The Associated Press:
"It is one of the left's best ever results and will raise momentum for next month's final runoff where only the two candidates will compete against each other."
— 2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in The Guardian:
"Mr. Macron was unable to command more than a small plurality of support against several opponents in the first round of voting on April 10. Ms. Le Pen, who finished second, is his opponent in the runoff election on Sunday."
— 2022 April 21, Michael Crowley, “U.S. Braces for Potential French Election Shockwave”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the heavy rain, the ____ from the fields flowed into the river.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Heavy rainfall caused significant ____ that carried topsoil into the nearby river.