markdown

1 of 2

noun

mark·​down ˈmärk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: a lowering of price

2

: the amount by which an original selling price is reduced

mark down

2 of 2

verb

marked down; marking down; marks down

transitive verb

: to put a lower price on

Synonyms

Verb

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• devalue
• downgrade
• lower
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

Examples of markdown in a Sentence

Verb

marked down all seasonal goods immediately after the holidays

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Head over to Walmart to shop more impressive markdowns from Beautiful by Drew Barrymore, including more cookware and countertop appliances starting at $26. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Hoffman and Hunsicker are looking to put a new model to work at the brand, driving margins by alleviating the potential impact of markdowns with a rental option. —Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025

Verb

Better yet, the matching duvet cover is marked down by 45%. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025

Don’t miss out on this cute puffer crossbody while it’s marked down to $26. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1833, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

markdown

1 of 2 noun

mark·​down ˈmärk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: a lowering of price

2

: the amount by which an original selling price is reduced

mark down

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)märk-ˈdau̇n

: to put a lower price on

marked down all the books for the sale