Definitions

runner

[ruhn-er] / ˈrʌn ər /

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one who runs n.
vine n.
one who runs n.

NOUN

one who runs

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contestant entrant hurdler marathoner racer sprinter

STRONG

carrier courier jogger messenger

WEAK

cross-country runner distance runner long distance runner middle distance runner trackman

Antonyms

STRONG

receiver

NOUN

vine

Synonyms

STRONG

branch offshoot tendril

NOUN

one who runs

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hurdler marathoner racer sprinter

STRONG

courier harrier jogger messenger page

Antonyms

STRONG

receiver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for runner?

The word runner commonly refers to someone who regularly runs for exercise, often as a hobby. The word jogger is sometimes used to mean the same thing, but some runners don’t like to be called joggers (for various reasons). In the context of the sport of track, the word runner refers to one of the contestants in a race (less commonly called a racer). There are different kinds of runners depending on the kind of race, including sprinters, long distance runners, marathoners, and cross-country runners. An athlete who participates in track events might say that they run track. In baseball, a runner is more commonly called a base runner. In football, a runner is often called a ball-carrier, a general term for whichever offensive player has the ball and is running with it (often the running back). In some contexts, the word runner refers to a person who gets and delivers things, such as messenger, a courier, or a smuggler (as in gun runner and drug runner). The word runner can also refer to a long and narrow stretch of carpet, such as for a stairway or hall, or a decorative strip of fabric that runs the length of a table (this is typically called a table runner).

What is another word for food runner?

In restaurants, a food runner (or just runner) is a member of the serving staff whose job is to assist the servers, especially by bringing food to the diners. While food runners may be called servers, such as by diners, they’re usually not the ones taking orders. Some of the responsibilities of a food runner may be the same as those of a busser.

How do you use runner in a sentence?

Runner is a common word with widely varying meanings and uses. Here are some examples of runner in a sentence:

I’ve always liked to run, but I had never considered myself a “runner” until I started entering 5Ks.
My college had a very small track team, so I was both a sprinter and a long distance runner.
As an intern, you’ll be doing a lot of random jobs, but you’ll be more than just a runner getting people lunch and coffee—you’ll be working on real projects.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

runner runners

Catcher William Contreras, the favorite to become World Series MVP, had three, while also throwing out a runner stealing and going 4-for-4 on ball-strike challenges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

They were called to Curleywee in the Minigaff Hills to help a runner who was injured while taking part in the OMM mountain challenge.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

A runner was injured in the northern French city of Lille near the start of the city's marathon, which was being staged for the first time in 31 years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026

I was a runner from an early age, and by high school, my identity was almost entirely as a track athlete.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

As soon as the last runner crosses the finish line, they start another.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

Most elite runners who work at shoe stores need the money.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

In this new World Athletics-sanctioned competition, runners around the world log 5km on a treadmill and compete for a prize pool of $100,000 and the title of world champion.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

With the clocks going back this weekend, many runners will soon be spending more of their training time in the dark.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

The complaint says male employees at “all levels” of the company helped create and maintain the hostile work environment, from the vice president of operations to managers, bartenders, line cooks, food runners and bussers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2026

Two other runners have been listening in—Colin Johnson and Melanie Matta.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

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