write-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌin 

1

: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate

2

: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2

verb

wrote in; written in; writing in; writes in

transitive verb

1

: to insert in a document or text

2

a

: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting machine) in an appropriate space

b

: to cast (a vote) in this manner

Examples of write-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

District 3: Morgan McGarvey defeats Mike Craven McGarvey, the incumbent Democrat, faced a challenge from Craven, a Republican, and two other write-in candidates. —Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Three other candidates — Nina Luxenberg and Mike Cease of the Green Party and Frank Bertone, a Democratic write-in hopeful — also are on the ballot. —Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

The Reagan appointee is a lifelong Republican who voted for neither Trump nor Harris by writing in Nikki Haley. —Richard Stacy, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2024

All presidential terms since President Jimmy Carter saw healthy stock market returns for the full four or eight years, with the exception of President George W. Bush due to the Great Recession, Motley wrote in a recent market update. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

write-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈrīt-ˌin

1

: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate

2

: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2 verb

: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting machine) in an appropriate space