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Definitions

runner

[ruhn-er] / ˈrʌn ər /
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.

Ashley Porter, a 39-year-old marathon runner in Washington, D.C., started mixing trail runs into her weekly training to prepare for a long-distance running relay race in Zion National Park, in Orderville, Utah, in May.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Annika Ivanoff, a 27-year-old runner in Denver, ran one road marathon before moving to dirt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

"Clair is a true inspiration, both as a runner and a Samaritans listening volunteer, and her incredible spirit was clear for all to see on Sunday," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Athletic shoe titans Adidas and Nike have been in a decade-long competition to develop a shoe that would propel a runner 26.2 miles in under two hours.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

My mother says I was born a runner; that I entered this world wanting to get up and go.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen