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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-doun] / 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

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

Morgan said GSK would likely need to book a write-down on the program.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Berkshire Hathaway took a $10 billion write-down for Precision Castparts in 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

First came the write-down, then came the redemption.

From Barron's ● May 22, 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

Nasir says he wished he was more prepared for clearing, and advises students to write down some notes on location, accommodation and cost for each university you contact.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

One man gifted Wilber a notebook he made of old chip bags and cardboard from a cereal box, and suggested he write down his family’s phone numbers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

He told conference call listeners that a third of the $1.3 billion portfolio write down came from loans to the companies Medallia, Cubic Corp., and Affordable Care.

From Barron's ● May 11, 2026

I write down my words, and when Mrs. Curtis tells us to share our lists with a partner, I am paired with James.

From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

Related Words

• address
• compose
• create
• draft
• note
• pen
• print
• record
• rewrite
• scrawl
• scribble
• sign
• tell