markdown

1 of 2

noun

mark·​down ˈmärk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: a lowering of price

2

: the amount by which an original selling price is reduced

mark down

2 of 2

verb

marked down; marking down; marks down

transitive verb

: to put a lower price on

Synonyms of markdown

Verb

• reduce
• write down

Examples of markdown in a Sentence

Verb

marked down all seasonal goods immediately after the holidays

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For travel gear, the best deals are in November, while suitcases see the steepest markdowns in late December. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart typically roll out their markdowns on Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 25), but many others start their sales that Monday (November 23). — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

The company is now running through the last of its stock and is marking down what’s left by 20 percent. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026

Some of our favorite models remain marked down, but probably not for much longer. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for markdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

markdown

1 of 2 noun

mark·​down ˈmärk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: a lowering of price

2

: the amount by which an original selling price is reduced

mark down

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)märk-ˈdau̇n

: to put a lower price on

marked down all the books for the sale