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Meaning & use

running order

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈrʌnɪŋ ˌɔːdə/
US/ˈrʌnɪŋ ˌɔːrdər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    The planned sequence in which acts, items or segments of a show, event or broadcast will appear.

    Grammar: Takes the: they changed the running order at the last minute.

    Patterns

    • the running order of something
    • change the running order

    The producer emailed the running order for Saturday's concert to every band.

    We swapped the speeches and the music in the running order to keep people awake.

    According to the running order, the comedian goes on after the interval.

  2. noununcountableformal

    The condition of a machine or vehicle that is working well, found mostly in the phrase 'in running order'.

    Grammar: Usually appears after in: the engine is in running order.

    Patterns

    • in running order

    The old tractor is still in running order after fifty years.

    Before selling the press, he made sure it was in full running order.

    The seller promised the radio was in good running order.

Word forms

pluralrunning orders

Common combinations

agree the running order
The organizers agreed the running order over the phone.
final running order
The final running order will be posted at noon.
a tight running order
A tight running order left no room for encores.
in running order
The old printing machine is still in running order.
stick to the running order
Please stick to the running order so we finish on time.

Synonyms and how they differ

schedule
A schedule gives times, while a running order only gives the sequence of items.
lineup
A lineup lists who is performing, but a running order also fixes the exact order they appear.
agenda
An agenda lists topics for a meeting, whereas a running order is for shows and events with performances or segments.
programme
A programme is the printed guide for audiences and may or may not show the real timing order.

Word family

run verb
to be performed or broadcast, as in the show runs for two hours
running adjective
continuing or in operation, as in running time
running time noun
the total length of a film or performance

Commonly confused: running order or running costs?

running order vs running costs

Running costs are the regular expenses of operating something, and have no link to the sequence of acts.

Practice

The stage manager printed the ____ so that every performer knew when to go on.

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