write-up

1 of 2

noun

1
: a written account
especially : a flattering article
2
: a deliberate increase in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of inflation)

write up

2 of 2

verb

wrote up; written up; writing up; writes up

transitive verb

1
: to make a write-up of
2
: to report (a person) especially for some violation of law or rules

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Read the New York Times write-up here. Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2023 As the title of this write-up asks, how’s the ‘inflation’ fight going? John Tamny, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023 There's also a good technical write-up here by Aarons' collaborator, David Buchanan. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023 At the time, the incident received small write-ups from the New York Times and the Associated Press, but largely went unremarked on. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2023 The legendary songstress, who turns 70 this month, seemed amused, even slightly honored, by her glowing write-up in RS when read by Originals interviewer Andrew Goldman. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Mar. 2023 This flood of hectic club music has raised in many a write-up a question: what exactly to call Rio’s sound? John Norris, Billboard, 1 Mar. 2023 Despite its brevity, and its equivocations, the Times write-up must have roused interest in MTV’s new venture. Hazlitt, 4 May 2022
Verb
Ready to write up your Passover grocery list? Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 22 Mar. 2023 Everyone gets negative online reviews, my supervisor, George, told me, the day after the parrot person had written up a vicious review. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023 They were inspired by this idea and decided to try writing up a legislative amendment of their own. Ellen Dong, oregonlive, 6 Mar. 2023 Globe Rhode Island’s Carlos Muñoz was quick to write up the story, which kicked off a series about how crowded events, drinking, and fighting at Ballard’s Beach Resort were affecting visitors to the Rhode Island destination. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Dec. 2022 Council President Patrick Vincenti advised the council to forgo discussion of the motion and allow Kearney to write up the motion to discuss at a future meeting. Jason Fontelieu, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2022 The leaders should have hired consultants immediately to write up a capital-improvement plan to address flooding. WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Here’s the Variety write up. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 May 2021 For cases that go unsolved for 90 days, the report recommended that the detective write up a report summarizing the entire case, including the status of forensic testing on evidence. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 7 July 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'write-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of write-up was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near write-up

Cite this Entry

“Write-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-up. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

write-up

1 of 2 noun
ˈrīt-ˌəp
: a written account (as in a newspaper)
especially : a flattering article

write up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)rīt-ˈəp
1
: to write an account of : describe
2
: to report (a person) especially for some violation of law or rules

Legal Definition

write up

transitive verb
: to increase the book value of (an asset)
write-up noun

More from Merriam-Webster on write-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!