1. water from rain or melted snow that flows over the ground surface
Usage: environmental science
2. a final election held to decide between the top candidates when no candidate received a majority in the first election
Usage: politics

Examples

• Heavy rainfall caused dangerous runoff that flooded the streets.
• Agricultural runoff can pollute nearby rivers and lakes.
• The storm drains couldn’t handle all the runoff from the parking lot.
• Since no candidate won more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election was scheduled.
• The two top candidates will face each other in next week’s runoff.
• Voters returned to the polls for the mayoral runoff.
• The runoff will determine who becomes the party’s nominee.