write-in

1 of 2

noun

1
: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate
2
: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2

verb

wrote in; written in; writing in; writes in

transitive verb

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
Noun
Luqman voted for Bernie Sanders in 2020, both in the March primary of that year, and in the fall as a write-in. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024 Leticia Lares, a Harborside Park advocate, is a write-in candidate. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden also beat his challengers via a write-in campaign, defeating Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and author Marianne Williamson. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Rush also questioned the state’s argument that Rust could simply run as an independent or a write-in candidate. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024 The sponsors noted that in the 2022 election, four current RTD members were elected as write-in candidates because nobody qualified for the ballot. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2024 Buoyed by strong showings in special elections last week, and other recent contests including a successful write-in campaign for Mr. Biden in New Hampshire’s primary, many believe their voters will grow increasingly engaged as the general election nears and Mr. Trump’s legal problems unfold. Katie Glueck, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024 Biden was not on the ballot in that primary, but a group of Democrats had organized a write-in campaign to show support for the president. Julian Mark, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024 However, a successful write-in effort on behalf of Mr. Biden by Granite State allies earned the president a victory, all but ending his challengers' White House bids. Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2024
Verb
Owners deny harming pit bull pup An officer who went to the home about 9:20 a.m. wrote in the report that a woman there refused to open the door, but indicated a puppy lived at the address when the officer asked if any dogs lived there. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 But the birth of his son in late 2022 has given him a new outlook on life, his attorney, Miranda Kane, wrote in court papers. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 And Stephen Lighthill, a past president of the ASC, wrote in an email to Variety. Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Loudoun County Chief Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. wrote in an opinion that the jury in the misdemeanor case had been incorrectly instructed on the elements necessary for a conviction. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Well, as one fan of AD wrote in the comments section of E! Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2024 Two months later, special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis wrote in a court filing that the gun that discharged had been sent to an independent expert for further testing. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 And a company that matches its electricity use with an equal amount of RECs can ostensibly write in its marketing and sustainability reports that its operations are 100 percent renewable. Justine Calma, The Verge, 6 Mar. 2024 Crosswords are similar: They’re written in a secret language, and have a grammar that must be learned through repetition. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'write-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of write-in was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near write-in

Cite this Entry

“Write-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-in. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

write-in

1 of 2 noun
ˈrīt-ˌin
1
: a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate
2
: a candidate whose name is written in

write in

2 of 2 verb
: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting machine) in an appropriate space

More from Merriam-Webster on write-in

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