writing

noun

writ·​ing ˈrī-tiŋ How to pronounce writing (audio)
1
: the act or process of one who writes: such as
a
: the act or art of forming visible letters or characters
specifically : handwriting sense 1
b
: the act or practice of literary or musical composition
2
: something written: such as
a
: letters or characters that serve as visible signs of ideas, words, or symbols
b
: a letter, note, or notice used to communicate or record
c
: a written composition
3
: a style or form of composition
4
: the occupation of a writer
especially : the profession of authorship
Phrases
writing on the wall
: an omen or sign of one's unpleasant fate
No one told him he was going to be fired, but he could see the writing on the wall. [=he could see that he was going to be fired soon]

Examples of writing in a Sentence

Writing usually isn't a lucrative career, but it has been very fulfilling for me. He teaches creative writing at the university. Few people nowadays care about the art of letter writing. The novel's plot is okay, but the writing is horrible. I asked a friend to critique my writing. Her essay was a wonderful piece of writing. She has a unique writing style. Much of the best Japanese writing has not been translated into English. the writings of Benjamin Franklin a book of selected writings on moral philosophy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There, in a single exchange, is nearly everything that is wrong with mass-market TV writing. Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025 The tariffs may stand temporarily under a stay, but the writing is on the wall. Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 With Someday, Now, the idea to create an audiobook emerged organically from my own love of the format and my curiosity about how layering ambient sounds into a sensorily immersive storytelling experience might inform the writing and the listening. Tembi Locke, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 But the stark, brooding palette of Tortured Poets casts an unforgiving light on some of the least consistent writing of her career. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for writing

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of writing was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Writing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/writing. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

writing

noun
writ·​ing
ˈrīt-iŋ
1
: the act or process of one that writes: as
a
: the formation of letters to express words and ideas : handwriting sense 1
b
: the art or practice of literary or musical composition
2
: something (as a letter or book) that is written or printed
3
: a style or form of composition
4
: the occupation of a writer

More from Merriam-Webster on writing

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