noun

• Agent noun of run; one who runs.
• A person who moves, on foot, at a fast pace, especially an athlete.
• Any entrant, person or animal (especially a horse), for a race or any competition; a candidate for an election.
• (poker slang) A competitor in a poker tournament.
• Somebody who controls or manages (e.g. a system).
• A person or vessel who runs blockades or engages in smuggling. (Especially used in combination, e.g. gunrunner).
• (cricket) A player who runs for a batsman who is too injured to run; he is dressed exactly as the injured batsman, and carries a bat.
• (baseball, softball) A baserunner.
• (Australian rules football) A person (from one or the other team) who runs out onto the field during the game to take verbal instructions from the coach to the players. A runner mustn't interfere with play, and may have to wear an identifying shirt to make clear his or her purpose on the field.
• Anyone sent on an errand or with communications, especially for a bank (or, historically, a foot soldier responsible for carrying messages during war).
• A restaurant employee responsible for taking food from the kitchens to the tables.
• (US, dated) A trusty (prisoner granted special privileges).
• (sports slang) An employee of a sports agent who tries to recruit possible player clients for the agent.
• A person hired by a gambling establishment to locate potential customers and bring them in.
• One who runs away; a deserter or escapee.
• (film) An assistant.
• (slang, usually in the phrase 'do a runner') A quick escape away from a scene.
• (Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland) A type of soft-soled shoe originally intended for runners.
• Part of a shoe that is stitched to the bottom of the upper so it can be glued to the sole.
• A part of an apparatus that moves quickly.
• A mechanical part intended to guide or aid something else to move (using wheels or sliding).
• A smooth strip on which a sledge runs.
• The blade of an ice skate.
• The channel or strip on which a drawer is opened and closed.
• Part of a mechanism which allows something to be pulled out for maintenance.
• The curved base of a rocking chair.
• In saddlery, a loop of metal through which a rein is passed.
• In molding, a channel cut in a mold.
• The rotating-stone of a grinding-mill.
• The movable piece to which the ribs of an umbrella are attached.
• A tool in which lenses are fastened for polishing.
• (slang) An automobile; a working or driveable automobile.
• A strip of fabric used to decorate or protect a table or dressing table.
• A long, narrow carpet for a high traffic area such as a hall or stairs.
• (slang) A part of a cigarette that is burning unevenly.
• (botany) A long stolon sent out by a plant (such as strawberry), in order to root new plantlets, or a plant that propagates by using such runners.
• (climbing) A short sling with a carabiner on either end, used to link the climbing rope to a bolt or other protection such as a nut or friend.
• A leaping food fish (Elagatis pinnulatis) of Florida and the West Indies; the skipjack, shoemaker, or yellowtail.
• (nautical, sailing) A rope to increase the power of a tackle.
• (video games) A speedrunner.
• An idea or plan that has potential to be adopted or put into operation.
• A running gag
• A surname.