top-down

adjective

ˈtäp-ˈdau̇n 

1

: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level

a top-down corporate structure

2

: proceeding by breaking large general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed constituents : working from the general to the specific

top-down programming

top-down design

Examples of top-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two first-round draft picks are nice and so is top-down leadership. —Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

The jury saw photos and video of the scene, including one gory top-down photo. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026

Over the past several decades, the state has imposed countless regulations, restrictions and taxes designed to suppress traditional energy sources to force top-down adoption of alternative forms of energy. —Paige Gilliard, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

Finding all the opportunities for AI transformation within the organization can’t be a top-down process. —Terrence Curtin, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase from the top down

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for top-down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown