running mate

noun

1
2
: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable
3
: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket
especially : the candidate for vice president

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson. inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school
Recent Examples on the Web In deciding on a running mate that year, Mondale made history by choosing then-Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (D-N.Y.), who became the first female major-party nominee for vice president. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024 For independent candidates, many U.S. states’ election rules require that a running mate be listed as the necessary ballot signatures are collected. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024 Still, several political scientists said that Kennedy's choice of a running mate isn't all that significant. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024 Robert Kennedy is expected to announce that Nicole Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer, investor and political neophyte, will be his running mate in his independent presidential bid. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024 Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will announce his running mate in Oakland, California. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 Kennedy’s campaign told The Times that the 70-year-old is considering New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura as a running mate along with others on a short list. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Her conversations with Beshear eventually led Coleman to be his running mate in the 2019 election. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024 The candidate’s choice of running mate is also controversial. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'running mate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of running mate was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near running mate

Cite this Entry

“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

running mate

noun
: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!