a market-town of England, Cheshire, on the left bank of the Mersey, near its confluence with the Weaver, 17 miles N.N.E. of Chester, and 182 N.W. of London. It is an ancient town; but until the formation of the Duke of Bridgewater's canal, which terminates here, it was of very little importance. The public buildings include the new town-hall, a handsome edifice, containing also a news-room; the jail; the parish church, also of modern date; and Trinity church, a red sandstone building, with a square tower. There are also places of worship for Independents, Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics; and several schools of various kinds. The manufactures of the place are pretty numerous, including iron, ropes, sails, soap, &c.; and there are also ship-building yards, slate and stone quarries, and establishments for distilling turpentine. The trade of the place, too, is great and rapidly increasing; the town is a free port, and contains a custom-house, and ample accommodation for goods in warehouses and yards. The principal exports are stone and salt. Runcorn is much resorted to in summer for the sake of sea-bathing. Markets are held weekly, and fairs twice a year. Pop. (1851) 8049.