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runoff Meaning & Definition

Phonetic codes: R AH1 N AO0 F

What Does Runoff Mean?

Runoff is a noun that means That portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area. It is also used to mean Dissolved chemicals, etc, included in such water.

Runoff at a Glance

Part of speechnoun
Synonymsoverflow, overflowing and overspill
Pluralrunoffs

Runoff Definition (Noun)

  1. That portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area.
  2. Dissolved chemicals, etc, included in such water.

    The runoff of nitrates is poisoning the lake.

  3. A second or further round of a competition, after other competitors (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.
  4. A second or further round of an indecisive election, after other candidates (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.

    There will now be a runoff as neither front runner received more than 50% of the vote.

Synonyms of Runoff

Runoff synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Runoff

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Runoff in a Sentence

The runoff of nitrates is poisoning the lake.

There will now be a runoff as neither front runner received more than 50% of the vote.

Word Forms & Grammar

runoff (countable and uncountable, plural runoffs)

Words That Rhyme With Runoff

Origin of Runoff

Deverbal from run off.

Runoff: Your Questions Answered

What part of speech is runoff?

Runoff is a noun.

What is another word for runoff?

You can replace runoff with words such as overflow, overflowing and overspill. See the full list of runoff synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of runoff?

The plural of runoff is runoffs.

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