Runoff

Quick meaning: Runoff is a noun meaning That portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area.

Meaning

That portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area.

More Meanings

1. Dissolved chemicals, etc, included in such water.
2. (sports) A second or further round of a competition, after other competitors (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.
3. (politics) A second or further round of an indecisive election, after other candidates (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.

Example Sentences

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.

It is one of the left's best ever results and will raise momentum for next month's final runoff where only the two candidates will compete against each other.

Toxic runoff from rare earth mines in Myanmar is contaminating rivers that flow into Thailand, threatening the Mekong River and its basin's fisheries and farmland.

Word Forms

• runoffs
• run-off

Synonyms for runoff

Depending on context, synonyms include overflow, overspill.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include overspill, overflow, stormwater, groundwater, streamflow, flood.

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