›to gradually end an organization's, industry's, etc. operations: be run downThe country's nuclear industry is being run down.run sth downThe president had promised to run down all military operations in the region.The farm was a lot of work, but he did not want to let it run down.
›to gradually use up a supply of something until it has all gone: run sth downWe've been running down our stock of the old model to make room for the new one.If you leave it switched on overnight the battery will run down.