: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)
wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down
1
: to record in written form
2
a
: to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing
b
: to reduce in status, rank, or value
especially
: to reduce the book value of
: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence
Examples of write-down in a Sentence
Verb
a company forced to write down its assets
write down what you remember about that day
Recent Examples on the Web
Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Sep. 2025
Despite those gains, the group still recorded a net loss of $517 million, largely due to the collapse of the Capri acquisition and a write-down at Kate Spade.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
While writing down lists may not work for everyone, and journaling may seem like yet another task to complete, Sandbech believes your mind deserves the same opportunity for self-care as any other part of your body.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write-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.
Noun
Last year, Ford confirmed a $400 million write-down after scrapping plans to launch an all-electric three-row SUV.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Sep. 2025
Despite those gains, the group still recorded a net loss of $517 million, largely due to the collapse of the Capri acquisition and a write-down at Kate Spade.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Attendees were asked to write down their questions and submit them to city staff for consideration.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
While writing down lists may not work for everyone, and journaling may seem like yet another task to complete, Sandbech believes your mind deserves the same opportunity for self-care as any other part of your body.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write-down
Cite this Entry
“Write-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-down. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
write down
transitive verb
wrote down; written down; writing down
: to reduce the book value of (an asset)
write down accounts receivable
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share