\ 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
First Known Use of top-down
1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology for top-down
from the phrase from the top down
Cite this Entry
Top-down. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-down. Accessed 4 Dec. 2021.
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