1
: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate
2
: a candidate whose name is written in
wrote in; written in; writing in; writes in
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
Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
The city's 75th mayor, Duggan, previously served as CEO of the Detroit Medical Center from 2004 to 2013 before running for office on a successful write-in campaign, defeating former Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 1 Jan. 2026
Lawyers working on contingency fees are the only way Californians who can’t pay hundreds of dollars an hour for legal representation can sue if harmed beyond insurance payouts, two law school professors wrote in a recent column opposing Uber’s measure.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
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Noun
Appointing a director or write-in ballots therefore does not avoid those standards.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
The city's 75th mayor, Duggan, previously served as CEO of the Detroit Medical Center from 2004 to 2013 before running for office on a successful write-in campaign, defeating former Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
Perhaps some of his campaign’s hundred thousand volunteers have already started writing in their post-election free time.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 1 Jan. 2026
Lawyers working on contingency fees are the only way Californians who can’t pay hundreds of dollars an hour for legal representation can sue if harmed beyond insurance payouts, two law school professors wrote in a recent column opposing Uber’s measure.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write-in
Cite this Entry
“Write-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-in. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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