1a person that runs, especially in a specified way:Mary was a fast runner
a person who runs competitively as a sport or hobby:a 400 metres runner
a horse that runs in a particular race:there were only four runners
a vehicle or machine that operates in a satisfactory or specified way:the van was a good and reliable runner
British informal a contender for a job or position:I am one among fifty runners for the jobthe original runners for the Booker Prize
British informal an idea that has a chance of being accepted; a practical suggestion:trying to determine whether a tax on books is a runner
Cricket a person who runs between the wickets for an injured batsman:he came in to bat with a runner
a messenger, collector, or agent for a bank, bookmaker, or similar.
an orderly in the army.
British informal a freelance antiques dealer:‘runners’ who spend their time looking for good buys
2 [in combination] a person who smuggles specified goods into or out of a country or area:a gun-runner
3a rod, groove, or blade on which something slides.
each of the long pieces on the underside of a sledge that forms the contact in sliding.
(often runners) a roller for moving a heavy article:the vegetable baskets were on runners
a ring capable of slipping or sliding along a strap or rod or through which something may be passed or drawn.
Nautical a rope in a single block with one end round a tackle block and the other having a hook.
4a shoot, typically leafless, which grows from the base of a plant along the surface of the ground and can take root at points along its length:it’s not always easy to find strawberry runners with good strong roots
a plant that spreads by means of runners.
a twining plant.
5a long, narrow rug or strip of carpet, especially for a hall or stairway:a faded runner held in place with brass stair rods
