write-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

write down

2 of 2

verb

wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

Synonyms

Verb

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

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

Noun

In late 2023, for example, Orsted took a $4 billion write-down and canceled two offshore wind projects off the coast of New Jersey. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025

In August, the company’s shares hit all-time lows after the media conglomerate — heavily reliant on its pay-TV business — announced a whopping $9.1 billion write-down reflecting the loss of value of its linear television networks. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024

Verb

Then, write down a number that is 20-30% below the amount spent in 2024 and make that a new budget and target for 2025. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024

Papers were circulated for families to write down their contact details. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

write down

transitive verb

wrote down; written down; writing down

: to reduce the book value of (an asset)

write down accounts receivable

write-down

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

noun