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

Wilson County School Board Zone 5 Republican Donnie Self won against Democrat challenger Brittany Ash with Republican Aaron Fulcher also in the race as a write-in candidate who campaigned despite not being listed on the ballot. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Duggan became the first white mayor of majority-Black Detroit since the 1970s with his election in 2013, following a successful write-in campaign. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 11 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