1
: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2
: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material
ran off; run off; running off; runs off
1
a
: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
b
: to cause to be run or played to a finish
c
: to decide (a race) by a runoff
d
2
: to drain off : draw off
3
a
: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)
b
: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away
see also run off with
Synonyms
Examples of runoff in a Sentence
Verb
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Recent Examples on the Web
Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
If none of the candidates receive a majority of the votes, a runoff election between the two highest vote-getters will follow on June 24.
—Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
The systems are meant to replace heating and cooling systems that run off fossil fuels like natural gas, heating oil or propane.
—Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for runoff 
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Noun
The system demands that voters, already weighed down by electoral fatigue and apathy, return to the polls for runoff elections.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
If none of the candidates receive a majority of the votes, a runoff election between the two highest vote-getters will follow on June 24.
—Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
After slashing the man on the face, the woman ran off, cops said.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
The systems are meant to replace heating and cooling systems that run off fossil fuels like natural gas, heating oil or propane.
—Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for runoff
Articles Related to runoff
Dictionary Entries Near runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runoff
1 of 2 noun
run·off
ˈrən-ˌȯf 
1
: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor
2
: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams
run off
2 of 2 verbˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
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