running mate

noun

1
2
: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable
3
: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket
especially : the candidate for vice president

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson. inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school
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.
Elevating a former top aide with legislative and executive experience — and a life story different from his own — Gov. JB Pritzker yesterday announced Christian Mitchell would be his third term running mate. Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025 Rumors about Haitians eating pets, which later were repeated by Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, circulated widely on social media at the time and were amplified by right-wing influencers, even though police and city officials found no evidence to support the claims. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 John Hollinger wants to make sure your point guard has a running mate. Zach Harper, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Shapiro, Pennsylvania's third Jewish governor, rose to prominence as an outspoken Democratic governor and was on the short list as a candidate for running mate for the Kamala Harris campaign in 2024. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for running mate

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of running mate was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

running mate

noun
: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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