1. (noun)run, running, running play, running game (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team "the defensive line braced to stop the run"; "the coach put great emphasis on running"
2. (noun)run, running the act of running; traveling on foot at a fastpace "he broke into a run"; "his daily run keeps him fit"
3. (noun)running the state of being in operation "the engine is running smoothly"
4. (noun)running the act of administering or being in charge of something "he has responsibility for the running of two companies at the same time"
5. (noun)track, running the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track
6. (adj)running(a) (of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream "as mountain stream with freely running water"; "hovels without running water"
7. (adj)running(a) continually repeated over a period of time "a running joke among us"
8. (adj)running(a) of advancing the ball by running "the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays"
9. (adj)running(a) executed or initiated by running "running plays worked better than pass plays"; "took a running jump"; "a running start"
10. (adj)linear, running(a) measured lengthwise "cost of lumber per running foot"
11. (adj)running(a), operative, functional, working(a) (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes"