assignment

noun

as·​sign·​ment ə-ˈsīn-mənt How to pronounce assignment (audio)
Synonyms of assignmentnext
1
: the act of assigning something
the assignment of a task
2
a
: a position, post, or office to which one is assigned
Her assignment was to the embassy in India.
b
: a specified task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned by authority
a homework assignment
3
law : the transfer of property
especially : the transfer of property to be held in trust or to be used for the benefit of creditors

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for assignment

task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done.

task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Examples of assignment in a Sentence

The students were given a homework assignment. The reporter's assignment is to interview the candidate. The reporter is here on an assignment. The reporter is here on assignment. The article discusses the recent assignment of senators to some of the more powerful committees. her assignment to the embassy in India the computer's assignment of a number to each image She asked if she could change her seating assignment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The assignment would let Curtis, a moderate on energy and climate issues, stay active in the Senate in discussions about the IRA and climate-friendly trade policy. —Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024 Beyond photography Traveling was always a part of Doman’s life, whether for sports games, other assignments or with family. —Natasha Delion, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024 Supporters of the measure said that a voluntary work program would protect prisoners from being disciplined for refusing a work assignment. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 Provide stretch assignments for real-world experience Leadership development can’t happen in a vacuum. —Rhett Power, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assignment 

Word History

Etymology

see assign entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of assignment was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing assignment

Dictionary Entries Near assignment

assignee

assignment

assigt

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assignment. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Legal Definition

assignment

noun
as·​sign·​ment
1
: the act of assigning
2
a
: a position, post, or office to which one is assigned
b
: a task assigned
3
: a present transfer of property or rights
— absolute assignment
: an assignment in which the transfer is complete and leaves the assignor with no interest in the property or right transferred
— assignment for the benefit of creditors
: assignment of property by a debtor to an assignee to be held in trust and used to pay off the debtor's debts
— assignment of income
: an assignment by one taxpayer to another of income for the purpose of avoiding taxes
— assignment of lease
: an assignment by a tenant of all of his or her remaining rights in a property under a lease compare sublease
— effective assignment
: an assignment by which the assignor's interest in the property or right being assigned is terminated and transferred to the assignee
— equitable assignment
: an assignment (as of property in which one has a future interest) that is not valid at law but that would be upheld in a court of equity
— general assignment
: an assignment for the benefit of creditors of all of a debtor's property to be distributed fairly to the creditors compare preference
— wage assignment
: an assignment by an employee by which an amount of his or her wages are transferred to another party (as a creditor) before the wages are paid to the employee compare garnishment

More from Merriam-Webster on assignment

Nglish: Translation of assignment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assignment for Arabic Speakers

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