Meaning & use
runoff
Rainwater or melted snow that flows across the ground into streams or rivers instead of soaking into the soil.
See it in a sentence
Heavy rain caused runoff that carried soil straight into the nearby river.
City planners are looking for ways to reduce runoff after major storms.
A note on using this word
Runoff also refers to a final election held to decide a winner when no candidate wins a clear majority.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A final election held to decide a winner when no candidate received a majority of votes.
The two leading candidates now face each other in a runoff next month.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “runoff”, then compare your use with the examples above.