write-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌəp 

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

Examples of write-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Around 1998, someone filed a permit to take out a spiral staircase that led up to a room on the roof, according to a short write-up in the Times that didn’t name the architect or owner. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2026

Both write-ups note that these machines deliver great performance on productivity tasks. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

After writing up our game stories for the 49ers’ playoff win in Green Bay in January 2014, Matt Maiocco and I hopped in a rental car at midnight and drove to Chicago for a flight later that morning. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The movie is also a chronicle of the degradation of what passes for news reporting; Sun staffers are told that every murder, rape or theft has to be written up like a thriller. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for write-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

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

ˈrīt-ˌəp 

noun