run out

verb

ran out; run out; running out; runs out
Synonyms of run outnext

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

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.
The battery probably ran out because of this long at-bat by Jake Bauers. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Fans booed as the clock ran out before the second intermission, on the way to the home team falling to 2-3-0 while struggling to incorporate a handful of new faces into the lineup. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 The Commanders could not line up and spike the ball before time ran out. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Minibé, Bengaluru Minibé started as a monthly supper club run out of sisters Jenny and Steffi Clinta's apartment, and is now a permanent, 20-seat spot in Indiranagar built around a nine-course dessert tasting menu. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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

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