write-in

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

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

write-in vote

3 of 3

noun (2)

variants or write-in

plural -s

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

received 10,000 write-in votes for governor

a heavy write-in vote for his opponent

Examples of write-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Activist Andrea LaFlamme is a write-in candidate for the ballot. —Margie Cullen, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Verb

Fitzpatrick wrote in a text to the Statesman. —Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026

His narrator is writing in response to a request from his grandchildren, and his narrative is wracked by a sense of dishonor and guilt. —Ivan Kreilkamp, JSTOR Daily, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for write-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

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