top-down

adjective

ˈtäp-ˈdau̇n 

1

: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level

a top-down corporate structure

2

: proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific

top-down programming

top-down design

Examples of top-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But beyond the doom and gloom, China’s soccer future may no longer depend solely on top-down ambition. — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

This top-down mandate, often linked to efficiency and potential job cuts, fosters skepticism. — Kathy Caprino, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Hikers can choose between a short walk or the full 16-mile top-down route, depending on conditions and experience level. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

That’s pretty well known by now, but what the survey quietly surfaces is the standard response to that problem, the top-down mandate to transform, may be making things worse. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase from the top down

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for top-down

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