Standard Lemma guide

run-up

noun · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The approach run of a bowler before delivering the ball.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • Jasprit Bumrah has the most unique run-up in the history of cricket.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A period of time just before an important event.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The candidates were very nervous in the run-up to the election.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

An increase in the value or amount of something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • Economists expect a run-up of long-term interest rates.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hike

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The extent of a wave's reach onto land as the result of a tsunami or storm such as a cyclone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: geography, natural-sciences, oceanography

Examples

  • I found sand pushed all the way to the edge of my home by the run-up of Wednesday's tsunami.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

The process of warming up and testing an airplane before a flight.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, transitive, uncountable

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

the approach run during which an athlete gathers speed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: approach, approaching, coming

8

noun

Meaning 8

a substantial increase over a relatively short period of time

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a runup in interest rates
  • market runups are followed by corrections

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: runup

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: increase

History

Etymology

Deverbal from run up.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: aanloop — (cricket) the approach run of a bowler before delivering the ball
  • Finnish: vauhdinotto — (cricket) the approach run of a bowler before delivering the ball
  • Dutch: aanloop — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Finnish: vauhdinotto — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • German: Anlauf — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Hungarian: nekifutás — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Irish: ruthag — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Italian: rincorsa — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Norwegian Bokmål: tilløp — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: tilløp — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: tillaup — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Serbo-Croatian: зáлет — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Serbo-Croatian: zálet — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Spanish: espacio previo — the approach run of a high jumper or other athlete in order to gather speed or momentum
  • Dutch: aanloop — period of time just before an important event
  • German: Vorfeld — period of time just before an important event
  • German: vorangehende Zeit — period of time just before an important event
  • Persian: آستانه (âstâne) — period of time just before an important event
  • Spanish: periodo previo — period of time just before an important event
  • Spanish: período anterior — period of time just before an important event
  • Dutch: toename — an increase in the value or amount of something
  • Dutch: stijging — an increase in the value or amount of something
  • Finnish: nousu — an increase in the value or amount of something
  • German: Anstieg — an increase in the value or amount of something