Running has 17 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Prep · Proper Noun
(American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team
"the defensive line braced to stop the run"
"the coach put great emphasis on running"
the act of administering or being in charge of something
"he has responsibility for the running of two companies at the same time"
The action of the verb to run.
"She arrived at the station just in time, her lungs burning from running all the way there."
In plain English: Running is the act of moving your body quickly by lifting your feet and swinging your arms.
"The running cost of our monthly utilities has increased significantly this year."
present participle of run
"I heard you were running late for the meeting, so I sent someone to get your notes."
In plain English: Running means moving your legs quickly to cover ground faster than walking.
"The children went running in the park after school."
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
"as mountain stream with freely running water"
"hovels without running water"
of advancing the ball by running
"the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays"
executed or initiated by running
"running plays worked better than pass plays"
"took a running jump"
"a running start"
(of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
"in running (or working) order"
"a functional set of brakes"
Moving or advancing at a run.
"She broke into a fast running pace to catch the departing bus before it pulled away from the curb."
In plain English: Running describes something that is moving very fast, often in a way that feels out of control or chaotic.
Usage: Use this adjective to describe something that moves with speed and rhythm, such as running water or traffic flowing freely. It is often confused with the participle form of the verb but functions here specifically to indicate continuous motion rather than an action in progress.
consecutively; in a row
"The team managed to win five games running before finally losing on Saturday."
In plain English: Running describes moving quickly on your feet, usually by taking many steps without stopping.
"The dog ran down the street very quickly."
Approaching; about; roughly.
"The running cost of the new project was estimated to be around five thousand dollars per month."
A surname.
"At the local charity gala, Mr. Running introduced his daughter to the board of directors."
The word running is formed by adding the suffix "-ing" to the base verb run. This construction follows standard English grammar rules rather than deriving from a foreign language or having an ancient historical shift in meaning.