run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The survey offers a peek into the mindset of the typical investor, whose opinions may be swayed more by the recent pandemic run-up in housing prices rather than the actual long-term returns of property ownership versus stocks. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 May 2024

An analysis by the Economic Policy Institute found no link between Trump-era tariffs, imposed during his presidency, and the subsequent run-up of inflation in 2021 and 2022. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024

Verb

There was a nearly six-minute stretch without a whistle, with both teams running up and down the ice only to see stellar chances fall short, many of which hit posts. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2024

Thanks to the Qualcomm chip, HP says the laptop can run up to 22 hours while streaming video or web browsing. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill