Library / English Dictionary

RUNOFF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A final election to resolve an earlier election that did not produce a winner

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("runoff" is a kind of...):

election (a vote to select the winner of a position or political office)

Derivation:

run off (decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity

Synonyms:

overflow; overspill; runoff

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("runoff" is a kind of...):

flow; flowing (the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases))

Derivation:

run off (run off as waste)

Credits

 Context examples: 

This large dead zone size shows that nutrient pollution, primarily from agriculture and developed land runoff in the Mississippi River watershed is continuing to affect the nation’s coastal resources and habitats in the Gulf.

(Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is the largest ever measured, NOAA)