Definition

1. Verb (transitive or intransitive):
   • To communicate with an organization, publication, or broadcast program by sending a letter, email, or other written message, typically to express an opinion, ask a question, or make a request.
   • To cast a vote in an election by writing the name of a candidate not officially listed on the ballot.

Usage Examples

• Verb (communicate with an organization):
  • Listeners were encouraged to write in with their opinions on the new policy.
  • She wrote in to the magazine's advice column seeking guidance.
• Verb (cast a ballot vote):
  • He didn't like any of the nominated candidates, so he decided to write in his father's name.
  • The candidate received thousands of write-in votes.

Advanced Usage

• "Write-in candidate" (noun phrase): A person whose name is written on a ballot by voters, rather than being printed on the ballot officially.
  • The local activist ran as a write-in candidate and surprisingly won the election.
• "Write-in campaign" (noun phrase): An organized effort to encourage voters to write a specific candidate's name on their ballots.
  • They launched a last-minute write-in campaign for the popular mayor.

Variants and Related Words

• Write-in (noun): The act of writing a vote on a ballot, or the vote itself.
  • The election results included a significant number of write-ins.
• Writer (noun): A person who writes.
• Writing (noun): The activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper or another medium.

Synonyms

• Correspond (with): To communicate by exchanging letters.
• Vote for: To cast a ballot in favor of someone or something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Write away/off for: To send a letter requesting something.
  • He wrote away for a free product sample.
• Write back: To reply in writing.
  • The company promised to write back within ten business days.
• Write up: To write a full or formal account of something.
  • The journalist wrote up the interview for the Sunday edition.

Related Idioms

• Write in stone: To make something permanent and unchangeable. (Note: This idiom uses "write" but is distinct from the phrasal verb "write in").
  • The schedule isn't written in stone; we can make adjustments.

Verb

1. write to an organization
   • Many listeners wrote in after the controversial radio program
2. cast a vote by inserting a name that does not appear on the ballot
   • Many voters wrote in the names of strangers