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
Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
If no one does, the top two candidates head to a runoff election in December.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The father said Hill had a gun and ran off about five or 10 minutes before the call.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for runoff 
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Noun
Should none of the candidates receive 50% of the vote in the primary, the city would need to hold a runoff election.
—Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
If no one does, the top two candidates head to a runoff election in December.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Combs, seen on camera wearing only a towel around his waist, was simply trying to retrieve his clothes and cellphone after Ventura had run off with them, his lawyers wrote.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
The father said Hill had a gun and ran off about five or 10 minutes before the call.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
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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