(of people and some animals) to move along, faster than walking, by taking quick steps in which each foot is lifted before the next foot touches the ground: [ + to infinitive ] The children had to run to keep up with their father. I can run a mile in five minutes. The sheep ran away/off in fright. A little girl ran up to (= came quickly beside) me, crying for her daddy. In the semi-final she will be running against her nearest rival. The first two races will be run (= will happen) in 20 minutes.