: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)
wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down
1
: to record in written form
2
a
: to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing
b
: to reduce in status, rank, or value
especially
: to reduce the book value of
: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence
Synonyms
Examples of write-down in a Sentence
Verb
a company forced to write down its assets
write down what you remember about that day
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The auditor is supposed to enforce the goodwill write-down, assuming the auditor has reason to believe that the acquisition is not working as intended.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Many responded to the calls of their friends to write down their story; some were motivated by financial or political exigency; others saw a long-term money-making opportunity.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for write-down 
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.
Noun
Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that company executives should have recognized that the loss of the NBA rights would prompt a reevaluation of its business prospects and spur goodwill write-downs.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The auditor is supposed to enforce the goodwill write-down, assuming the auditor has reason to believe that the acquisition is not working as intended.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Another option is to write down notes immediately after a session while your thoughts are fresh.
—Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Many responded to the calls of their friends to write down their story; some were motivated by financial or political exigency; others saw a long-term money-making opportunity.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for write-down
Dictionary Entries Near write-down
Cite this Entry
“Write-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-down. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
write down
transitive verb
wrote down; written down; writing down
: to reduce the book value of (an asset)
write down accounts receivable
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share