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
Noun
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 The wine-and-spirits segment, on the other hand, saw double-digit sales declines, and Constellation booked a steep write-down in the value of that unit’s assets in the quarter. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2024
Verb
Think about or write down your answers to the following questions that will help guide you in creating one. Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 The teaser clip ends before revealing what the YouTube star wrote down, which would ultimately decide the contestant's fate in the game. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for write-down 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'write-down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 5 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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