: 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
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
Michael Wayland, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Warner’s $252-million quarterly loss was a byproduct of a $1.3 billion write-down as Warner continues to amortize restructuring charges stemming from the 2022 merger with Zaslav’s Discovery.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In 2019, the company wrote down $15 billion in brand value.
—Paul Polman, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for write-down
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Noun
Stellantis last month disclosed $26 billion in charges related to its EV plans, while its crosstown Detroit rivals also have announced write-downs.
—Michael Wayland, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Warner’s $252-million quarterly loss was a byproduct of a $1.3 billion write-down as Warner continues to amortize restructuring charges stemming from the 2022 merger with Zaslav’s Discovery.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
And because phones are often lost or stolen, Silvestro is constantly writing down her own number — on a hat, under a bridge — in the hopes that people call.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In 2019, the company wrote down $15 billion in brand value.
—Paul Polman, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for write-down
Cite this Entry
“Write-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-down. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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
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