write-down

1 of 2

noun

: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

write down

2 of 2

verb

wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down

transitive verb

1
: to record in written form
2
a
: to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing
b
: to reduce in status, rank, or value
especially : to reduce the book value of

intransitive verb

: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

Examples of write-down in a Sentence

Verb a company forced to write down its assets write down what you remember about that day
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
In August, Warner Bros. Discovery booked a $9.1 billion write-down of its TV networks, triggered by the reevaluation of the book value of the segment. Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 Warner Brothers Discovery also took a $9 billion write-down on its TV networks, and Uber faced a $500 million charge this year that won’t be a hindrance next year, the analysts argued. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2024
Verb
Think big and then write down ideas for manifesting those dreams. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Sheriff tells residents to 'write down' Harris supporter addresses in September Rodgers' comments come two months after an Ohio county sheriff took to social media to seemingly request the addresses of homes with front yard signs supporting Harris. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for write-down 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of write-down was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near write-down

write down

write-down

write in

Cite this Entry

“Write-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-down. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

write down

transitive verb
wrote down; written down; writing down
: to reduce the book value of (an asset)
write down accounts receivable
write-down noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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