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:
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
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
If no one candidate garners more that 50% of the vote, as occurred in Bass’s battle with developer Rick Caruso in 2022, then the election goes to a runoff on November 3 – the same day as the nationwide midterms.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In October, Havens ran off after attendees at a school volleyball game notified a Will County sheriff’s office school resource officer of suspicious behavior, according to a sheriff’s news release at the time.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runoff
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Noun
Now that city elections will be in November of even years, runoff elections will be held in early December of even years, as needed.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
If no one candidate garners more that 50% of the vote, as occurred in Bass’s battle with developer Rick Caruso in 2022, then the election goes to a runoff on November 3 – the same day as the nationwide midterms.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
This will allow rain to soak down into the aquifers, instead of running off into storm drains and into the ocean.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
In October, Havens ran off after attendees at a school volleyball game notified a Will County sheriff’s office school resource officer of suspicious behavior, according to a sheriff’s news release at the time.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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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