| English Dictionary |
TOP-DOWN
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does top-down mean?
• TOP-DOWN (adjective)
The adjective TOP-DOWN has 1 sense:
1. of an approach to a problem that begins at the highest conceptual level and works down to the details
Familiarity information: TOP-DOWN used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Of an approach to a problem that begins at the highest conceptual level and works down to the details
Context example:
top-down programming
Antonym:
bottom-up (of an approach to a problem that begins with details and works up to the highest conceptual level)
Context examples
Includes R&D and integration of ultra-miniaturized top-down processes and increasingly complex bottom-up or self-assembly processes.
(Nanomanufacturing, NCI Thesaurus)
The specification of a node (file or directory) in a hierarchical file system, usually specified by listing the nodes top-down.
(Pathname, NCI Thesaurus)
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