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
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Shirts were made, attack ads were run, people's grandmas got involved, celeb guys nominated themselves as write-in candidates and former Sexiest Men Alive weighed in on their picks.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for write-in
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
When the polling was done, local election officials reported that Tugnutt actually received write-in votes.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Shirts were made, attack ads were run, people's grandmas got involved, celeb guys nominated themselves as write-in candidates and former Sexiest Men Alive weighed in on their picks.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Mihara said while some guests were on their phones or laptops, Mangione quietly sipped on a beer and wrote in his journal or read a book.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 22 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share