runoff

Plural: runoffs

Noun

• Water that drains from a surface; an additional contest.
• the occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity
• a final election to resolve an earlier election that did not produce a winner
• That portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area which does not infiltrate or evaporate, but instead is discharged from the area.
• Dissolved chemicals, etc, included in such water.
• A second or further round of a competition, after other competitors (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.
• A second or further round of an indecisive election, after other candidates (often all but the last two) have been eliminated.

Examples

• A runoff game was necessary to determine the Words With Friends tournament winner.
• The runoff of nitrates is poisoning the lake.
• There will now be a runoff as neither front runner received more than 50% of the vote.

Synonyms

overflow, overspill