Source : WordNet®

runtime error
     n : an error in logic or arithmetic that must be detected at run
         time [syn: {semantic error}, {run-time error}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

run-time error
     
         An {error} in the execution of a program which
        occurs at {run time}, as opposed to a {compile-time error}.
     
        A good programming language should, among other things, aim to
        replace run-time errors by compile-time errors.  Language
        features such as {strong typing} help.
     
        A good program should attempt to avoid run-time errors by, for
        example, checking that their input data is sensible.  Where
        this is not possible, the program should attempt to detect the
        error and handle it gracefully rather than just exiting via
        the language or operating system's default handler.  Here
        again, a good language will make this easy to do (or at least
        possible).
     
        See also {abort}, {core dump}, {GPF}.
     
        (1997-01-13)