top-down
adjective
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
The researchers utilized a top-down design strategy to create cobalt oxide nanoclusters smaller than 2 nanometers.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The changes appear to be an effort to reduce overhead and top-down management within NASA and return more power and decision-making to field centers.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
This top-down optimism creates an environment where, despite obstacles, teams can persevere, innovate and do the right thing.
—Kapil Jain, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
As science communication evolved, the top-down one-way model was superseded by a two-way communication model that conceived of the public not as passive receivers but as active participants, the model of public engagement or conversation.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for top-down
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
The changes appear to be an effort to reduce overhead and top-down management within NASA and return more power and decision-making to field centers.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
This top-down optimism creates an environment where, despite obstacles, teams can persevere, innovate and do the right thing.
—Kapil Jain, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
As science communication evolved, the top-down one-way model was superseded by a two-way communication model that conceived of the public not as passive receivers but as active participants, the model of public engagement or conversation.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for top-down
Cite this Entry
“Top-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
