1
a
: to form (characters, symbols, etc.) on a surface with an instrument (such as a pen)
b
: to form (words) by inscribing characters or symbols on a surface
write one's name
c
: to spell in writing
words written alike but pronounced differently
d
: to cover, fill, or fill in by writing
wrote ten pages
write a check
2
: to set down in writing: such as
b(1)
: to be the author of : compose
writes poems and essays
(2)
: to compose in musical form
write a string quartet
c
: to express in literary form
if I could write the beauty of your eyes—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
d
: to communicate by letter
writes that they are coming
e
: to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing
write braille
writes French with ease
f
: to write contracts or orders for
3
: to make a permanent impression of
4
: to communicate with in writing
we'll write you when we get there
6
: to make evident or obvious
guilt written on his face
7
: to force, effect, introduce, or remove by writing
write oneself into fame and fortune—Charles Lee
Charles Lee8
: to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)
9
a
: to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium of a computer
b
: to transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer to a storage or output device
10
: sell
write a stock option
1
a
: to make significant characters or inscriptions
also
: to permit or be adapted to writing
b
: to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences
2
: to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
3
a
: to produce a written work
b
: to compose music
Phrases
write one's own ticket
: to select a course of action or position entirely according to one's wishes
: on a larger scale or in a more prominent manner
the problems of modern totalitarianism are only our own problems writ large—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
: on a smaller scale
Examples of write in a Sentence
children learning to read and write
I don't have anything to write with. Could I borrow a pen?
Please write your name at the top of each sheet.
Write the number as a decimal instead of as a fraction.
She wrote “tag sale” on the sign in big letters.
The note was written in blue ink.
I mistakenly wrote her name as “Gene” instead of “Jean.”
She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime.
She wrote an essay comparing two poems.
I'm writing an article for the school newspaper.
Recent Examples on the Web
There used to be more time to write recommendations.
—Adam Patric Miller, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The college essay is going the way of the dinosaurs as more teachers give up on the ability to tell whether their students are writing their papers themselves.
—Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The company identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of segregation of duties and written documentation of internal control policies.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Circuit Judge Michael Brennan, writing for the majority, rejected both arguments.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for write 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adam Patric Miller, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The college essay is going the way of the dinosaurs as more teachers give up on the ability to tell whether their students are writing their papers themselves.
—Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The company identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of segregation of duties and written documentation of internal control policies.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Circuit Judge Michael Brennan, writing for the majority, rejected both arguments.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for write
Dictionary Entries Near write
Cite this Entry
“Write.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
write
verb1
: to form letters or words on a surface with an instrument (as a pen or pencil)
learn to read and write
2
: to form the letters or the words of (as on paper)
write your name
write a check
3
: to spell in writing
words written alike but pronounced differently
4
: to express in writing
write what you felt about the experience
5
a
: to make up and set down for others to read
write a book
b
: to compose music
6
: to write a letter to
write your senator
7
: to communicate by letter
writes that they are coming
8
: to transfer information in a computer to a storage area or output device
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