Definition of outrun

The word "outrun" has its roots in Old English. The verb "run" has been in use since before the 9th century, and it means to move quickly on foot. To "outrun" something or someone originally meant to run beyond or outside of it, as if you're leaving it behind. The phrase "outrun" as we use it today, meaning to move faster or farther than someone or something else, likely emerged in the 14th century. It's related to the idea of leaving something or someone in the dust, so to speak. Over time, the meaning of "outrun" expanded to include competitive racing, such as trying to outrun an opponent in a sprint or a long-distance race. In modern English, the word is often used in idiomatic expressions like "outrun the competition" or "outrun your problems."