/run"ing/ , n.
1. the act of a person, animal, or thing that runs.
2. managing or directing: the running of a business.
3. an act or instance of racing: the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby.
4. the condition of a track or surface to be run or raced on; footing: Our track team had muddy running today.
5. the amount, quality, or type of a liquid flow.
6. in the running ,
a. participating or entered as a competitor.
b. under consideration as a candidate or possible choice: Who is still in the running for the directorship?
c. among the winners or those making a good showing.
7. out of the running ,
a. not competing in a contest or race.
b. not among the winners or runners-up in a contest or race: to finish out of the running.
adj.
8. galloping, racing, moving, or passing rapidly.
9. (of a horse)
a. going or proceeding rapidly at the gait of a gallop.
b. taught to proceed at a gallop.
10. creeping or climbing, as plants: a running vine.
11. moving or proceeding easily or smoothly.
12. moving when pulled or hauled, as a rope.
13. slipping or sliding easily, as a knot or a noose.
14. operating or functioning, as a machine.
15. (of measurement) linear; straight-line.
16. cursive, as handwriting.
17. flowing, as a stream.
18. liquid or fluid.
19. present; current: the running month.
20. prevalent, as a condition or state: running prices.
21. going or carried on continuously; sustained: a running commentary.
22. extending or repeated continuously: a running pattern.
23. performed with or during a run: a running leap.
24. discharging pus or other matter: a running sore.
25. Naut. noting any of various objects or assemblages of objects that may be moved in ordinary use: running bowsprit; running gaff.
26. Naut. , Mach.
a. noting any block of a tackle that moves.
b. noting the part of the fall of a tackle that moves through the blocks (opposed to standing ).
adv.
27. in succession; consecutively: He slept badly for three nights running.
[ 1150-1200; ME; see RUN, -ING 1 , -ING 2 ]