write-down

[ rahyt-doun ]

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.

write down

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)

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of write-down¹

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

Example Sentences

Tomorrow, I have written down to mow the grass.

From Salon

"That didn't seem to be an issue for them, and they just went along with it even though they wrote down that she didn't have any symptoms of the UTI."

From BBC

Discovery recently wrote down the value of their cable channel segments by billions of dollars.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, Martha wrote down her life’s recipe and opened those journals and papers to Cutler and us.

From Salon

"There is no handbook. It's not written down anywhere. You're just flying by the seat of your pants and finding things out as you go along and a lot of it is experience," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• decline
• decrease
• reduction
• weakening