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

Sing, a rangy runner who can also kick goals, started two matches at full-back during England's Six Nations campaign, with Kildunne switching to a different position on the wing on each occasion.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 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

That is what doctors told British long-distance runner Jake Smith four years ago.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

While Republican Steve Hilton has spent months jackrabbiting around California during his long-shot bid for governor, Democratic front runner Xavier Becerra just recently emerged from quasi hibernation and stepped into political daylight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

A runner calls, “Go, Rosa!” as he jogs by us.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Known as Run X, it pitches everyday runners against elite athletes.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Wayne Davies said he was left "constantly worrying" about race times, training plans and fitness data and comparing himself to other runners on social media.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

BBC Sport was invited along to a qualification event at a gym in Southampton to observe runners logging their times on the global virtual leaderboard.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

The night before, Teoscar Hernández had zeroed in on the Dodgers’ at-bats with runners in scoring position in his postgame comments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

It was wonderful to hear the runners sing, to feel the rush of the wind, to see the trail skim by and the dogs running with their ears laid back.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

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