top-down
adjective
1
: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level
a top-down corporate structure
2
: proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific
top-down programming
top-down design
Examples of top-down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And shout out again to everyone at the top-down, including our producer and production manager there.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Shifting from a top-down leadership model to one that values inclusivity and collaboration could appeal to Gen Z's expectations for workplace culture.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Sandra den Hamer, CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund, highlighted that the treaty emerged from grassroots interest rather than top-down policy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024
Some on the right have envied the ability of the identity-politics Left to seize the commanding heights of progressive politics and enact a top-down social revolution.
—Fred Bauer, National Review, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for top-down 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Shifting from a top-down leadership model to one that values inclusivity and collaboration could appeal to Gen Z's expectations for workplace culture.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Sandra den Hamer, CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund, highlighted that the treaty emerged from grassroots interest rather than top-down policy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024
Some on the right have envied the ability of the identity-politics Left to seize the commanding heights of progressive politics and enact a top-down social revolution.
—Fred Bauer, National Review, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for top-down
Dictionary Entries Near top-down
Cite this Entry
“Top-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share