write-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

write down

2 of 2

verb

wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

Synonyms of write-down

Verb

• reduce
• mark down
• write off

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

Noun

Lose enough, get relegated to a lower division, and you’ll be forced to lay off staff and take a write-down on your investment as your revenues drastically shrink. —Andrés Martinez, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

With Amazon’s $2.2 trillion market cap, competitors often joke that the behemoth could count a write-down in the hundreds of millions of dollars as a rounding error. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026

Verb

For 55 years, the family behind Tapatío has refused to even write down the recipe for Los Angeles’ iconic hot sauce, passing its secret formula for success only from lip to ear in closed rooms. —Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Before your next appointment, write down your family history of diabetes, heart disease, thyroid issues and obesity. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for write-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Legal Definition

write down

transitive verb

wrote down; written down; writing down

: to reduce the book value of (an asset)

write down accounts receivable

write-down

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

noun