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
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The conference, which the state party chair estimates was attended by roughly 200 members, represents a political flashpoint in the Republican Party of Florida, which for decades has had a reputation for being efficient, effective, on message and in lock-step with its top-down leadership. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025 Food trends in the 20th century typically traveled top-down from cookbook publishers, professional chefs, the food industry, and pop culture, then spread to the masses. Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 30 Jan. 2025 Resources were stretched thin, and hurricane-force winds had grounded air support, limiting authorities’ ability to get a top-down perspective on the flames. Calls reporting burning homes were flooding in as embers blew onto roofs and yards. Christopher L. Keller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 Instead of a top-down approach, Circ looked to the suppliers that were already familiar with their fiber to build a bridge to their brand partners. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for top-down 

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase from the top down

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-down was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near top-down

Cite this Entry

“Top-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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