write-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌin 

1

: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate

2

: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2

verb

wrote in; written in; writing in; writes in

transitive verb

1

: to insert in a document or text

2

a

: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting machine) in an appropriate space

b

: to cast (a vote) in this manner

Examples of write-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shirts were made, attack ads were run, people's grandmas got involved, celeb guys nominated themselves as write-in candidates and former Sexiest Men Alive weighed in on their picks. —Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

There is a write-in ballot option to shout out your top pick of sandwich maker. —Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Verb

Mark Cuban says employees deserve more stock Billionaire Mark Cuban wrote in a post on X that companies should be better incentivized to give shares to their employees as stock gains multiply. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025

Calliope’s, written in verse, and Jin, a neighbor who originally hides their friendship, written in prose. —Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for write-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin

Kids Definition

write-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈrīt-ˌin

1

: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate

2

: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2 verb

: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting machine) in an appropriate space