runoff

Rain or watering water that flows over land instead of entering the ground or disappearing into the air.

• Heavy rain increased the runoff.
• The ditch collects runoff from nearby fields.
• Trees help reduce surface runoff after storms.

How to use it: runoff from something (Runoff from the hillside flooded the road.)

Common phrases: surface runoff, storm runoff, rainwater runoff

An additional election between the remaining candidates when an earlier vote did not produce a winner.

• The election went to a runoff.
• Two candidates will compete in the runoff next month.
• Voters chose a new mayor in Sunday’s runoff.

Similar words: second ballot, second round

Common phrases: runoff election, presidential runoff, runoff vote

Chemicals carried off land by flowing rain or watering water.

• Fertilizer runoff polluted the pond.
• The report links nitrate runoff to rapid algae growth.
• Farmers changed their methods to limit chemical runoff.

How to use it: runoff of something (Runoff of pesticides harmed the stream.)

Common phrases: pesticide runoff, fertilizer runoff, chemical runoff

An extra round of a competition involving the remaining competitors, used to decide who wins.

• The finalists entered a runoff.
• Two tied contestants faced each other in a runoff.
• She won the competition after a tense runoff.

Similar words: deciding round, tiebreaker

Common phrases: competition runoff, final runoff, runoff round