run-on

[ ruhn-on, -awn ]

adjective

1. of or designating something that is added or run on:

   a run-on entry in a dictionary.

2. Prosody. (of a line of verse) having a thought that carries over to the next line, especially without a syntactical break.

noun

1. run-on matter.
2. Automotive. after-run.

run on

verb

1. intr to continue without interruption
2. to write with linked-up characters
3. printing to compose text matter without indentation or paragraphing

noun

1. printing
   1. text matter composed without indenting
   2. ( as modifier )

      run-on text matter

2. 1. a word added at the end of a dictionary entry whose meaning can be easily inferred from the definition of the headword
   2. ( as modifier )

      a run-on entry

Word History and Origins

Origin of run-on¹

First recorded in 1900–05; adj., noun use of verb phrase run on

Example Sentences

However, the vast majority of plants still run on C3 photosynthesis.

From Science Daily

Prosecutors told the court Ibarra saw Riley while she was running on the UGA campus and "bashed her skull in with a rock".

From BBC

It’s a change from the “Wizard of Oz”-inspired stage show, which has never cast an authentic wheelchair user in the role in its blockbuster 21-plus year run on Broadway or elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times

Between 13 October and 9 November this year, fewer than half of its services ran on time.

From BBC

Conventional approaches to storm forecasting involve large numerical simulations run on supercomputers incorporating mountains of observational data, and they still often result in inaccurate or incomplete predictions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• advance
• carry on
• carry over
• endure
• extend
• go on
• last
• linger
• maintain
• persist
• progress
• promote
• pursue
• reach
• remain
• stay
• survive
• sustain