run out

verb

ran out; run out; running out; runs out

intransitive verb

1
a
: to come to an end : expire
time ran out
b
: to become exhausted or used up
the gasoline ran out
2
: to jut out

transitive verb

1
a
: to finish out (a course, a series, a contest, etc.) : complete
b
of a baseball batter : to run hard to first base after hitting (a batted ball)
ran out the grounder
2
a
: to fill out (a typeset line) with quads, leaders, or ornaments
b
: to set (a line of text, such as the first line of a paragraph) with a hanging indention
3
: to exhaust (oneself) in running
4
: to cause to leave by force or coercion : expel
Phrases
run out of
: to use up the available supply of
ran out of time
run out on
: desert

Examples of run out in a Sentence

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.
Upwards of ten thousand fans made the trip each year, but despite the match-up’s popularity and history, the Georgia Tech administration unexpectedly announced its intention to end the series when the contract ran out in the late 1970s. Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025 Federal funding is about to run out for 19 active space missions studying Earth's climate, exploring the Solar System, and probing mysteries of the Universe. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 But where the book ends with David hearing a hopeful message on the radio, the movie has the tank run out. James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 Big brands and small shops have been trying to absorb the costs, but consumers’ luck with prices appears to have run out. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for run out

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of run out was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Run out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run%20out. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

run out

verb
1
: to come to an end : expire
time ran out before we could tie the game
2
: to become exhausted or used up
our supplies were running out

More from Merriam-Webster on run out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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