| Noun | 1. | running - (American football) a play in which a player runs with the ball; "the defensive line braced to stop the run"; "the coach put great emphasis on running"American football, American football game - a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays draw play, draw - (American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage end run, sweep - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line return - (American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble reverse - (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction rushing, rush - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line; "the linebackers were ready to stop a rush" | |
| 2. | running - the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace; "he broke into a run"; "his daily run keeps him fit" | |
| 3. | running - the state of being in operation; "the engine is running smoothly"operation - the state of being in effect or being operative; "that rule is no longer in operation" | |
| 4. | running - the act of administering or being in charge of something; "he has responsibility for the running of two companies at the same time"administrivia - the tiresome but essential details that must be taken care of and tasks that must be performed in running an organization; "he sets policy and leaves all the administrivia to his assistant" | |
| 5. | running - the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a tracktrack and field - participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it track meet - a track and field competition between two or more teams | |
| Adj. | 1. | running - moving quickly on foot; "heard running footsteps behind him"moving - in motion; "a constantly moving crowd"; "the moving parts of the machine" | |
| 2. | running - (of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream; "a mountain stream with freely running water"; "hovels without running water"standing - (of fluids) not moving or flowing; "mosquitoes breed in standing water" | |
| 3. | running - continually repeated over a period of time; "a running joke among us"continual - seemingly without interruption; chiefly restricted to what recurs regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series; "the continual banging of the shutters" | |
| 4. | running - of advancing the ball by running; "the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays"football, football game - any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal pass, passing - of advancing the ball by throwing it; "a team with a good passing attack"; "a pass play" pass, passing - of advancing the ball by throwing it; "a team with a good passing attack"; "a pass play" | |
| 5. | running - executed or initiated by running; "running plays worked better than pass plays"; "took a running jump"; "a running start"standing - executed in or initiated from a standing position; "a standing ovation"; "race from a standing start"; "a standing jump"; "a standing ovation" | |
| 6. | running - measured lengthwise; "cost of lumber per running foot"lengthways, lengthwise - running or extending in the direction of the length of a thing; "the lengthwise dimension" | |
| 7. | running - (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing; "in running (or working) order"; "a functional set of brakes"functioning - performing or able to perform its regular function; "a functioning flashlight" | |