the long run

noun

: a long period of time after the beginning of something
investing for the long run
Your solution may cause more problems over the long run.
It may be our best option in the long run.
This deal will cost you more in the long run.

Examples of the long run in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Making small adjustments to your diet could help your body in the long run. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026 Bunch said, per information presented to the council, the financing does work out in the long run as other projects are paid off. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 They're not burned out in the clinical sense, just running at a pace that's clearly not sustainable in the long run. — Tony Loyd, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the long run

Rhymes for the long run

See All Rhymes for the long run

Browse Nearby Words

the long jump
the long run
the long term
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The long run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20run. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All