First Known Use: 1941
Dictionary
top–down
adjective \ˈtäp-ˈdau̇n\
: controlled or directed from the highest levels
: starting with a general idea and having details gradually added
Full Definition of TOP-DOWN
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>
See top–down defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TOP-DOWN
from the phrase from the top down
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