run·away
ˈrə-nə-ˌwā 
1
: one that runs away from danger, duty, or restraint : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also
: something (such as a horse) that is running out of control
3
: a one-sided or overwhelming victory
1
a
: running away : fugitive
b
: leaving to gain special advantages (such as lower wages) or avoid disadvantages (such as governmental or union restrictions)
runaway shipping firms
a runaway shop
2
: accomplished by elopement or during flight
3
: won by or having a long lead
a runaway success
also
: extremely successful
a runaway bestseller
4
: subject to uncontrolled changes
runaway inflation
5
: being or operating out of control
a runaway oil well
a runaway nuclear reactor
ran away; run away; running away; runs away
1
a
: to leave quickly in order to avoid or escape something
b
: to leave home
especially
: elope
3
: to gain a substantial lead : win by a large margin
see also run away with
Examples of runaway in a Sentence
Adjective
The play was a runaway success.
a region plagued by runaway suburban sprawl
Verb
ran away from an unhappy marriage
the child runs away from large dogs
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Salas, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov threw down in what could be the runaway for Fight of the Year.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Eddie and his girlfriend Mary (Olivia Barash) are runaway teens determined to get married, who end up in night court on shoplifting charges.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025
Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Her other daughter observed what happened and ran away to hide, the judge said.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
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Noun
Solid state and made without flammable materials, the little nuclear batteries might be safer than lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to thermal runaway, venting, and explosion.
—Joe Salas, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov threw down in what could be the runaway for Fight of the Year.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
If Bahrain is any indicator, this isn’t going to be a runaway championship.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Eddie and his girlfriend Mary (Olivia Barash) are runaway teens determined to get married, who end up in night court on shoplifting charges.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
While the standard White Lotus guest seems to be running away from something — anxiety, the pressures of fame, financial ruin — Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea appears markedly content.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Her other daughter observed what happened and ran away to hide, the judge said.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runaway
Cite this Entry
“Runaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runaway. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
runaway
1 of 3 noun
run·away
ˈrən-ə-ˌwā
1
: a person who runs away : fugitive
2
: the act of running away out of control
also
: something (as a horse) that is running out of control
runaway
2 of 3 adjective1
: running away : fugitive
2
: being out of control
run away
3 of 3 verbˌrən-ə-ˈwā
1
: to leave in a hurry especially to escape from danger or confinement
2
: to leave home
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