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

The Electric Light Tower wins in a landslide of write-in votes despite collapsing in 1915. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Scott Madon, District 29 Republican Scott Madon won his seat with 35.2% of the votes as a write-in candidate after incumbent Sen. Johnnie L. Turner died this year from injuries sustained in a lawn mower accident. —Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 31 Dec. 2024

Verb

Still, writing in a sober, downbeat style and translating Hemingway and Steinbeck, as Vittorini and his fellow novelist Cesare Pavese did, came to be seen in retrospect as acts of resistance in themselves. —Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Trump wrote in a statement on his conservative social media platform. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 1 Jan. 2025

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