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

Two Green Party candidates, Arturo Hernandez and Mike Norton, are on the ballot, with Eduardo Quintana running as a Green Party write-in. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2024

Biden won this year’s Democratic primary in New Hampshire via a write-in campaign. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 July 2024

Verb

The group is based in Russia and Ukraine but has members around the world, including the U.S., the agent writes in the federal complaint that led to his arrest. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024

And the nation’s stockpile of all three assets is critically low — raising the potential that the next pandemic could bring the nation’s primary care system and hospitals crashing to the ground, as Bloomberg Opinion wrote in an editorial last week. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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