Advertisement

runoff (n.)

also run-off, "precipitation water drained by streams and rivers," 1887, from run (v.) + off (adv.). Meaning "deciding race after a tie" is from 1873; electoral sense is attested by 1910, American English.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of runoff from WordNet

runoff (n.)
the occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity;
Synonyms: overflow / overspill
runoff (n.)
a final election to resolve an earlier election that did not produce a winner;
From wordnet.princeton.edu