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• write-down
  write-down

  noun

  a reduction of the entered value of an asset account.
• write down
  write down

  verb

  (tr) to set down in writing

write-down

American  

[rahyt-daun] / ˈraɪtˌdaʊn /

noun

Accounting.

1. a reduction of the entered value of an asset account.

2. the procedure of reducing the recorded value of an asset, either by estimate or as a plan.

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write down British  

verb

1. (tr) to set down in writing

2. (tr) to harm or belittle by writing about (a person) in derogatory terms

3. (intr; foll by to or for) to write in a simplified way (to a supposedly less cultured readership)

4. (tr) accounting to decrease the book value of (an asset)

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noun

1. accounting a reduction made in the book value of an asset

write down Idioms  

1. Set down in writing, record, as in Please write down your new address and phone number . [Late 1500s]

2. Reduce in rank, value, or price, as in They've written down their assets . [Late 1800s]

3. Write in a simple or condescending style, as in These science texts are written down for high-school students . [Second half of 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of write-down

First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase write down

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

write-down write down

Finally, after two years in limbo and a tax write-down check successfully cleared, Warner Bros. offloaded the film to Ketchup Entertainment at a discount in early 2025.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

Not every bet pays off: It took a partial write-down on its $2.9 billion MorphoSys deal after the lead drug hit clinical delays.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Stellantis isn’t done with electrification, even as its current crop of EVs failed to find an audience and led to a $26 billion pivot, the largest write-down of the U.S. automakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

KKR’s biggest private-credit fund took what amounts to a 10% write-down of its net asset value.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

All through 2008, she followed the bankers’ and brokers’ claims that they had put their problems behind them with this write-down or that capital raise with her own claim: You’re wrong.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

“Their ability to write down expenses faster will make investments more attractive.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

Visitors write down their names, sometimes add an ID card number, and sign to say that nobody forced or enticed them to attend church.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

"This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all," he said, adding many opinions were "based on untruths that have become accepted over time".

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

“For one month, write down every penny you spend,” he says.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

She began to write down pieces for the violin and piano.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

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Related Words

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