assignment etymology

  • Latin: "ad" (to, toward) + "signare" (to mark)
  • A task or duty assigned to someone
  • A portion of work assigned for a specific purpose
  • A specific amount of work to be completed

The word "assignment" originated in the 14th century from the Latin phrase "ad signare," which literally means "to mark to." This phrase was used to refer to the act of assigning a task or duty to someone, often by marking it down in a record or document. Over time, the word "assignment" evolved to refer specifically to a piece of work that is given to someone to complete, especially in an educational context.

assignment relate terms

Etymology The origin of a word including its history and source Meaning The definitio

Etymology The word sign comes from the Latin word signum which means mark token o

Etymology Middle English graunten from Anglo Norman French graunter from Latin grant

Etymology Designation is derived from the Latin word designatio which means a marki

Etymology Greek πρόληψις prolēpsis anticipation prior knowledge Componen

Etymology Late Middle English in the sense depute a person to act on one s behalf

Etymology The word detail derives from the Old French term detail which itself origi

Etymology The term legal originates from the Latin word lex which means law Mean

Etymology Old English wacian from Proto Germanic wakōjan meaning to be awake

Etymology Middle English fatigate from Latin fatigare to weary from fat stem of

Etymology Mission is derived from the Latin word mittere meaning to send or to dispa

Etymology The word commission comes from Old French commission which derives from L

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IS A SANDWICH A TACO

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Definition of 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.

duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

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

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

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

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

Examples of assignment in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assignment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

see assign entry 1

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assignment

  • self - assignment

Dictionary Entries Near assignment

Cite this entry.

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assignment. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

Legal definition of assignment, 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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assign verb

  • Hide all quotations

Earlier version

  • assign, v. in OED Second Edition (1989)

In other dictionaries

  • assīgnen, v. in Middle English Dictionary

What does the verb assign mean?

There are 20 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb assign , six of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

assign has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the verb assign ?

How is the verb assign pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the verb assign come from.

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the verb assign is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for assign is from 1297, in Robert of Gloucester's Chronicle .

assign is a borrowing from French .

Etymons: French a(s)signer .

Nearby entries

  • assieger, n. 1608
  • assieging, n. a1450–1606
  • assientist, n. 1713–
  • assiento | asiento, n. 1714–
  • assiette, n. 1869–
  • assification, n. 1820–
  • assified, adj. 1818–
  • assify, v. 1804–
  • assign, n.¹ 1601–41
  • assign, n.² c1450–
  • assign, v. 1297–
  • assignability, n. 1884–
  • assignable, adj. 1659–
  • assignably, adv. 1674–
  • assignat, n. 1790–
  • assignate, adj. 1471
  • assignation, n. a1400–
  • assigned, adj. c1374–
  • assignee, adj. & n. 1419–
  • assigneeism, n. 1883–
  • assigneeship, n. 1829–

Meaning & use

We han a sertaine somme asingned of ȝerus.
To every monthe..of signes twelve He hath.. Assigned one in speciall.
Assynging ilk ane propir houss and aucht.
And vnto his elected churche A pleadge of loue assinde .
By syning want and pouertie thy share.
The work which here God hath assign'd us.
The most laborious services were assigned to the female.
Has a small space for Garden-ground assign'd .
  • give Old English– To allot, apportion; to cause to have as one's share. †to give to lot (see lot , n. ). Also in indirect passive. †In past participle with adv. =…
  • bequeath a1325–1674 To assign, ordain, appoint, allot, give as an attribute (a thing to a person, etc.). Obsolete .
  • ordain a1325–1596 transitive . To assign (a share, portion, or allowance) to a person; to allot. Obsolete .
  • assign 1340– transitive . To allot as a share, portion, or allowance ( to ); to appoint, apportion, make over.
  • sort c1374–1601 transitive . To allot, apportion, or assign. Usually const. to , for , or with dative of person. Obsolete .
  • sign 1389–1641 transitive . To assign, appoint.
  • betake a1400 To allot, to assign; = beteach , v. 5. Obsolete .
  • beteach a1400–1572 To allot, assign.
  • remiss 1525 transitive . To assign; to adjudge. rare .
  • allot 1534– More generally. transitive . To assign or designate as being the appropriate share, entitlement, or responsibility of a particular person, office…
  • carve 1578–1755 figurative . transitive . To apportion at discretion, to assign as one's portion or lot, to take at one's pleasure.
  • divide 1600–1718 To assign severally to different places or posts; to allocate. Obsolete .
  • to set off 1687– To apportion or assign to a particular purpose; to portion off.
Wat thyng he adde assygned ys tueye bretheren al so.
Þei..þat occupien men toward her end a bout.. assining of þer goodis.
The residue of all my goodes..I assign to myn executors to pay dettes.
He assigned the School to Aristaeus.
I assign to him the right of copy of an Imitation of the Tenth Satire of Juvenal.
Some land which had been newly assigned to the monastery.
  • assign 1297– To transfer or formally make over to another. In modern English Law the appropriate word to express the transference of personal property (including…
  • bequeath c1305–1616 To make a formal assignation of (property of which one is possessed) to a person, So as to pass to him or her at once: To transfer, hand over, make…
  • alien c1400– transitive . Law . Frequently in form aliene . To transfer or surrender ownership of (property rights); to make over to another owner; = alienate , v. …
  • analy 1405–1755 transitive . To transfer ownership of (land, a possession, etc.); to alienate. Also intransitive : to transfer the ownership of something.
  • release a1425– transitive . To make over or transfer (land, property, etc.) to another. Cf. earlier release , n. I.1.
  • attorn 1430– transitive . Feudal Law . Of a lord: to transfer (service of one's vassals or tenants) to someone else (now historical ). More generally: to turn…
  • alienate ?a1475– transitive . Chiefly Law . To transfer or surrender ownership of (property rights); to make over to another owner. Also intransitive .
  • to make over 1478– transitive . To hand over (sometimes spec. by a formal agreement); to transfer the possession of or responsibility for (a thing, an undertaking…
  • convey 1495– To transfer or make over (as property) to another; now only in Law , to transfer or make over by deed or legal process. absol. To make conveyance.
  • transport 1523–1649 To transfer or convey (property). Obsolete .
  • to put over 1542–1653 transitive . To transfer (a right, property, etc.); to make over to . Obsolete .
  • dispone ?1548– Scots Law . To make over, convey, assign, grant, officially or in legal form.
  • design 1573– transitive . To appoint or assign (something) ( to a person); to make over, bestow, grant, give. Frequently (and in later use only) in Scots Law : to…
  • pass 1587– Chiefly Law . transitive . To convey or make over in legal form or with legal effect.
  • to set over 1594– To make over, transfer.
  • transfer 1598– Law . To convey or make over (title, right, or property) by deed or legal process.
  • abalienate 1646–1861 transitive . To transfer or make over (property) to another. Obsolete .
  • demise 1670– To convey or transfer (a title or dignity); esp. said of the transmission of sovereignty, as by the abdication or death of the sovereign.
  • enure 1736– transitive . To make available; to hand over.
  • to will away 1773– transitive . to will away : to bequeath (land, property, etc.) to someone other than the person who would otherwise inherit.
  • divest 1790– Law . To take away (property, etc., vested in a person); to alienate, convey away; = devest , v. 5.
But me was never assigned place.
My body to be beryed..yn suche place as I haue assyngned .
And he assignet hir a seite.
To have places assigned where your marchants might erect forts.
I was assigned my place on a cushion on the floor.
He assigned to his men their several posts.
  • appoint 1393– transitive . To determine authoritatively, prescribe, fix (a time, later a place) for any act.
  • assign 1393– To allot (a place) to a person; to appoint or set it apart for a purpose.
  • point ?1405–1832 transitive . To appoint; to fix, determine (a time or place); to employ, nominate (a person) to an office; to arrange, ordain, decree.
Til hym sal assygned be A gude angelle.
Þanne hadde þis menskful melior maydenes fele a-segned hire to serue.
Unto them assygne not another confessour.
With a soume of soudiours assignet vs.
The Lords Assigned us five very worthy Lawyers.
England will not long endure the rulers which these bad times have assigned her.
  • assign 1340– To allot or appoint to a person (those that shall perform certain functions in relation to him or her).
Convict servants are now assigned on application being made for them in a printed form to the land board.
The assigned servant of a respectable Scotch family residing near Sydney.
Female convicts were assigned ..in the capacity of domestic servants.
  • assign 1827– To make over a convict as an unpaid servant.
Make thi curse As I shall assyng the by myn aduysse.
They assigned him..what maner a miracle they wold haue him do.
Thou must loue..thy neighbour as thy self, because he hath so assined .
Simeon Sethi.. assigneth them rather to be eaten in Winter time.
  • aset Old English–1340 To set up, place; to appoint; to set out, array.
  • ashape Old English–1400 To create, prepare, make, appoint.
  • deem Old English–1605 To decree, ordain, appoint; to decide, determine; to adjudicate or award (a thing to a person).
  • i-deme Old English–1275 transitive . To decree, ordain; to decide, determine; = deem , v. 4. Also intransitive .
  • rede Old English–1450 transitive . To decree; to appoint, select. Also intransitive . Obsolete .
  • set Old English–1690 To appoint or provide to be used or observed by a person. Obsolete .
  • shift Old English–1450 transitive . To appoint or ordain (a person or thing); to arrange, to place or put in order. Obsolete .
  • steven Old English–1440 transitive . To appoint, constitute.
  • teach Old English–1567 To show what is to be observed or done; to direct, appoint, prescribe, decree, enjoin. Const. as in II Obsolete or absorbed in II.
  • will Old English–1713 Expressing an authoritative (or similarly formal) wish or intention: decree, ordain, give orders ( that … transitive . Expressing an official (esp…
  • look c1175–1525 transitive . To ordain, decree; to appoint; to decide. Obsolete .
  • show c1175– transitive . To display (kindness, mercy, courtesy or discourtesy, rudeness, etc.) to a person by one's actions or behaviour; to accord or grant…
  • stable a1300–1538 To ordain permanently, establish, fix, institute; to appoint, settle.
  • devise 1303–1606 To assign, appoint, order, direct. ( absol. or transitive with simple object or object clause.) Obsolete .
  • termine a1325–1705 transitive . To make a judgement about; to adjudicate; to determine, decide, settle. Cf. terminate , v. 3.
  • shape c1330–1400 transitive . gen. To decree, determine. Obsolete .
  • stightle a1375–1540 transitive . To dispose, arrange, set in order; to prepare, make ready; to control, rule, govern; to direct (a helm or rudder); to ordain, assign…
  • determine c1384–1758 transitive . To settle or fix beforehand; to ordain, decree; to ordain what is to be done. Obsolete .
  • judge a1387–1808 transitive . To grant, bestow, or impose by judicial sentence, or following a similar legal or official process; to award or assign judicially; = ad …
  • assize 1393 To fix, ordain, appoint.
  • statute 1397– transitive . Originally Scottish . To ordain, decree; to enact in a statute. Frequently with that -clause as object. Also occasionally intransitive . Now…
  • command a1400– With the direct object only: To bid, order, ordain, appoint, prescribe. Object a n. or pron.
  • decree 1399– transitive . To command (something) by decree; to order, appoint, or assign authoritatively, ordain.
  • yark a1400–50 To ordain, decree, appoint; to grant, bestow.
  • write c1405– transitive . To ordain, decree; to prophesy. Usually in passive with dummy it as subject, e.g. It was written in the stars .
  • decreet c1425–1633 transitive . To decree, order, ordain.
  • rule 1447– transitive . To decide or settle (a matter); to make a ruling concerning. Now rare .
  • stall c1460–1555 To fix, appoint beforehand. Obsolete .
  • constitute 1481–1692 To set up, appoint, ordain (an officer). Obsolete .
  • assign c1485–1607 To appoint authoritatively, prescribe (a course of action). Obsolete .
  • institute 1485–1631 transitive . To ordain that something shall be, or something to be . Obsolete .
  • prescribe c1487– transitive . To write or lay down as a rule or direction to be followed; to impose authoritatively; to ordain, decree; to assign. Frequently with to …
  • constitue 1489–1594 = constitute , v.
  • destinate 1490– transitive . To ordain, appoint: = destine , v. 1.
  • to lay down 1493– transitive . To establish, formulate definitely (a principle, rule); to prescribe (a course of action, limits, etc.).
  • make ?a1513– transitive . With noun complement. To determine (a thing, occasionally a person) to be (what is expressed by the complement); to establish or set…
  • call 1523– transitive . To decide and announce that (something) will happen or take place; to decree, declare. Cf. sense III.14.
  • plant 1529– figurative . transitive . To establish (a principle, doctrine, practice, etc.); to cause to be accepted.
  • allot 1532– transitive . Of God, fate, etc.: to decide or appoint (a person's condition, circumstances, lifespan, etc.); to assign a particular fate or lot ( lot …
  • stint 1533–1641 To prescribe or appoint definitely (a course of action, an amount, place, time, etc.); to restrict (a person) to a particular course of action or…
  • determ 1535 By-form of determine , v.
  • appoint a1538– To ordain authoritatively, prescribe, establish, fix. that it shall be.
  • destine c1540–1881 transitive . To ordain, appoint (formally or definitely). Obsolete (or merged in 3.)
  • prescrive 1552–1712 transitive . = prescribe , v. I.1b.
  • lot 1560–1889 transitive . To appoint or select (a person or thing) to do or be something. Cf. allot , v. 5. Obsolete .
  • fore-appoint 1561– transitive . To appoint beforehand.
  • nominate 1564– transitive . To fix, appoint, establish; to specify as something desired or decided upon (cf. name , v. III.8a). Formerly also † intransitive with for .
  • to set down 1576–1688 To lay down (a principle), prescribe (a regulation, mode of procedure). Obsolete .
  • refer 1590– transitive . To assign to a particular place or time period. Chiefly Science in later use.
  • sort 1592–1600 To dispose, ordain, order (events). Also absol. Obsolete . rare .
  • doom 1594– To decree; to pronounce or fix as a sentence or fate; to destine; to adjudge. (With simple object or object clause.)
  • fit 1600– To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the object in view; to make ready, prepare; † rarely with up . Const. for , to with n. or infinitive : otherwise di …
  • dictate 1606–1781 transitive . To state or declare authoritatively; to utter as a pronouncement or dictum. Also figurative . Obsolete .
  • determinate 1636–52 transitive . To ordain, appoint.
  • inorder a1641–57 transitive . To order; to ordain.
  • state 1647–1801 transitive . To settle or regulate by authority; to fix at a certain price or amount. Obsolete .
  • fix 1660– To settle definitely; to appoint or assign with precision; to specify or determine. Const. at , for , to .
  • direct 1816– transitive . To order, appoint, prescribe (a thing to be done or carried out).
He assigneth the bissop of Winchestre ther to.
The Duke of Exceter was syned for kepe the see ayenes the Erle of Warwike.
I have assigneed my servant..to levy and receive such rents.
Assigning me To the altar.
They assign themselves to what they are not fit for.
If the founder has appointed and assigned any other person to be visitor.
  • set Old English–1498 To place (a person) in an office, appoint to a certain function or to perform a certain duty; to appoint (an official). Obsolete .
  • assign 1297– To appoint, designate, ordain, depute (a person) for an office, duty, or fate. Obsolete except in Law .
  • inset a1300–1572 To set (a person) in office; to appoint. Obsolete .
  • stable 1300–1513 To establish, install or secure in a possession, office, or dignity, etc.
  • ordain a1325–1809 transitive . To appoint (a person, etc.) to a duty, position, or responsibility (occasionally with the name of the position or duty as complement). Obs …
  • institue c1384–1611 transitive . = institute , v.
  • to put in a1387– transitive . To install or appoint (a person) as the occupant of a particular office or position, to fulfil a particular function, etc.
  • limit c1405–1731 transitive . To appoint (a person) to an office; to prescribe (a penalty) upon or for someone; to appoint, direct (a person to do something). Obsolete .
  • stablish 1439– To set (a person, etc.) permanently in an office, dignity, or condition.
  • establish 1455– transitive . To set up (a person) in a position, occupation, business, etc.; to appoint (a person, esp. a civil servant) to a permanent post. Chiefly…
  • institute c1475– To establish in an office, charge, or position; to appoint; now, only, to place in a spiritual charge; ‘to invest with the spiritual part of a…
  • invest 1489– transitive . To install (a person) in an office, rank, etc., or to confer an honour or dignity upon (a person), esp. in a formal rite or ceremony…
  • assume c1503–1670 To adopt, choose, elect, to some position. (So in Latin.) Often with the idea of elevation; cf. assumption , n. I.2. Obsolete .
  • to fill the hands of 1535– To supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour something into (a receptacle) till… Phrases: †to fill the hands of (a Hebraism)…
  • settle 1548– transitive . To confirm, secure, or establish (a person) in a position of authority, profession, role, function, etc.; to install (a person) in a…
  • appoint 1557– To ordain or nominate a person to an office, or to perform functions.
  • place 1563– transitive . To appoint or assign to a post or office; ( Christian Church ) to appoint to a benefice or living.
  • to bring in 1566– transitive . To introduce or install (a person) in a particular position or role; (in later use more usually) to start to involve (a person, group…
  • assumpt c1571–1629 To elect or elevate to office; = assume , v. I.2.
  • dispose 1578–1697 To place in a particular employment, situation or condition; to assign, appoint. Obsolete .
  • seat 1595– transitive . To cause or enable to sit in or on a throne, chair of state or office, or other seat of authority or dignity. Hence, to establish (a…
  • state 1604–1702 transitive . To establish, install (a person) in an office, position, etc.; to vest (a person) in a right or power. Obsolete .
  • instate 1613– transitive . To put (a person) into a certain state or condition; to place in a certain position; to install, establish. Const. in ( into, to ).
  • office a1616–1764 transitive . To appoint to, or place in, office. Obsolete . rare .
  • constitute 1616–1720 To set up (in an office or position of authority). Obsolete (cf. 2.)
  • impose 1617– To place in command or office; to appoint or set up authoritatively. Now rare or Obsolete except as associated with I.4.
  • ascribe 1624 To appoint ( to a vacancy). (So in Old French.) Obsolete .
  • install 1647– By extension: To place in any office or position, esp. one of dignity or authority; to establish in any place or condition.
  • to set up 1685– To appoint to or nominate for a position.
  • prick 1788 transitive . To mark or indicate by a prick or tick; esp. to score through or put a mark against (an item on a list); to mark down , tick off. Also…
  • charge c1300– transitive . With with (or † of ). To assign to or impose on (a person) a duty, task, or responsibility; to entrust with.
  • ordain c1330–1676 transitive . To order or appoint (a person) to do some action or fulfil some role. Obsolete .
  • commit a1402–1566 transitive . To give (a person) the power or authority to perform a duty or office; to appoint to carry out a task; to commission. Obsolete .
  • commise a1470–1518 transitive . To commission or appoint (a person) to carry out a task. Cf. commit , v. I.1a.
  • task 1530– To force, put, or set (a person) to a task; to impose a task on; to assign a definite amount of work to.
  • task a1592– Const. to , with , with n. or infinitive . Often figurative .
  • consign 1705 To commission (a person) to do anything.
  • detail 1837– transferred .
  • betask 1857– To charge with a task.
Assignyng his company, euerych in to his place.
At length to bed to take a nap He fraighted, was assynde .
He assigned Vriah vnto a place where hee knewe that valiant men were.
  • assign 1413–1611 To appoint, direct, send (a person) to a place; to consign. Obsolete .
  • send 1531– With specified destination considered as a place of residence, or connoting a sphere or kind of employment; e.g. in to send to school, college , etc…
Hi assignede a dai þerto.
The day of bataylle..was assygned on bothe partyes.
We would assigne God his tyme.
In this Month likewise an Ambassador will dye in London, but I cannot assign the Day.
A hell, to the duration of which no period is assigned .
  • assign c1305– To fix, settle, determine, or authoritatively appoint (a time or temporal limit).
  • statute c1430–1563 transitive . Scottish . To appoint (a term, a time of payment, etc.), esp. by statute. Obsolete .
A Cowrte he assigned at Dunstaple, To whiche was summoned goode Grysilidis.
  • betee c1275 To bring about, manage, arrange.
  • tail c1315–1500 To decide or determine in a specified way; to settle, arrange, or fix (a matter).
  • cast c1320–1780 To put into shape, dispose, arrange, or order; to lay out in order, plan, devise. A piece of ground, piece of work, or other thing material.
  • ordain a1325–1681 transitive . To decide the order or course of; to arrange, plan. Obsolete .
  • set c1330–1810 To appoint (a meeting), make (an appointment). Also absol. Obsolete .
  • tight c1330–1508 transitive . To appoint, ordain, set, fix (a time, etc.); to devise, contrive; to prepare, get ready. Cf. dight , v. I.2, III.11, III.14.
  • accord 1388– transitive . To agree upon, arrange.
  • tailye c1480–87 To determine, settle, appoint, arrange. Obsolete .
  • assign 1558 To fix the time and place of (a meeting).
  • raise 1652–1868 transitive . To construct, form, or base (a scheme, a description, a plan, etc.) upon some basis or premise; to devise (a plan). Obsolete .
  • settle 1694–1729 transitive . To appoint or arrange (something to be done or to take place). Obsolete .
  • work 1761 transitive . To act in order to bring (something) about; to make (an outcome) happen; to plan, devise, contrive. Also: to manage or contrive (a matter…
  • arrange 1786– transitive . To settle the order, manner, and circumstantial relations of (a thing to be done); to plan beforehand.
  • engineer 1831– transitive . To bring about or obtain through machination; to arrange, contrive, or plan, esp. artfully; to manipulate. Also (chiefly U.S. ): to guide…
I assigne you to mete me in the medowe.
And there this night I had assigned my love and lady to have slept with me.
  • assign 1470–85 To make an assignation or appointment with (a person) to do a thing. Obsolete .
Who all assign its Altitude to be but about 27 inches.
Who sailed round it, and assigned its true position.
Who shall assign a limit to the discoveries of future ages?
  • i-fast Old English–1275 transitive . To make fast, confirm, settle.
  • found c1394–1677 With object a person: To establish in a firm position (in controversy, etc.); to ground in (a subject of instruction, etc.); also reflexive to take…
  • stablish 1447– To render stable in faith, virtue, etc.
  • terminate ?a1475–1706 transitive . To determine; to decide; (also) to state definitely. Obsolete .
  • ascertain 1494–1789 To make (a thing) certain, definite, or precise, by determining exactly its limits, extent, amount, position, etc.; to decide, fix, settle, limit. Obs …
  • bishop 1596– jocularly . To confirm.
  • salve 1596–1720 To render tenable, obviate the objections to (an opinion); to vindicate from incredibility (an alleged fact).
  • pitch 1610–87 transitive . To decide, settle, or conclude to be a fact; to come to a conclusion about; to ascertain or state as ascertained. Obsolete .
  • assign 1664– To determine, lay down as a thing ascertained.
  • determinate 1672 To render determinate or definite.
  • settle 1733– transitive . To put beyond dispute, establish (a principle, a fact) by authority or argument.
  • to set at rest 1826– to set at rest : to satisfy, assure; to settle, decide finally. Frequently to set (a person's) mind (also †heart) at rest . Cf. at rest at phrases P.5.
  • definitize 1876– transitive . To make definite.
  • cinch 1900– To make certain of (something); to render (something) conclusive. slang .
And til seynt Iames be souȝte þere I shal assigne .
Folke whom I neyther assigne bi name, nor as yet knowe not who they be.
To draw a parallel CD to a right line given AB, through a point assigned C.
I shall therefore endeavour to assign some of the principal Checks upon this generous Propension.
The special locality which Jewish tradition has assigned for the place.
  • note a1325– transitive . To mention, observe, or remark upon in writing; to take special notice of in writing.
  • specify c1340– transitive . To mention, speak of, or name (something) definitely or explicitly; to set down or state categorically or particularly; to relate in…
  • define c1374–1669 To state precisely or determinately; to specify. (Const. with object clause or simple object ) Obsolete .
  • assign 1377– To point out exactly, designate, specify.
  • express ?a1425–1790 transitive . To mention, specify (something). Obsolete .
  • steven c1425–40 To specify, state.
  • condescend 1510 (?) transitive . To specify particularly. Obsolete .
  • particulate 1579–1867 transitive . = particularize , v. 2a. Obsolete .
  • particularize 1593– transitive . To describe or mention particularly; to name or state specially or one by one; to treat individually or in detail; to single out; to…
  • particular 1605– transitive . To mention particularly; to particularize.
  • specialize 1616– transitive . To mention or indicate specially; to specify, particularize. Now rare .
  • specificate 1649– To give specific or explicit details of or concerning; to mention specifically or in detail; to particularize or specify.
  • individualize 1655– transitive . To mention, notice, or consider individually; to single out; to specify. Also intransitive : to go into detail; to be specific. Now rare .
  • designate 1677– transitive . Of a person or agent: to point out, indicate, make known; to particularize, specify.
  • determinate 1681 To fix upon definitely, define, individualize, identify.
  • precise 1793– transitive . To make precise or definite; to define precisely or exactly; to particularize. Now rare .
  • precisionize 1847– transitive . To make precise; to state with precision or accuracy.
To assigne false iudgment..is, to declare how and where the iudgment is vniust... To assigne wast, is to shewe, wherein especially the wast is comitted.
  • assign 1607– spec. in Law .
The faderis herte is sore greuyd, yf eny rebelnesse is assignid [Latin presentatur ] in his children.
  • atew Old English–1175 transitive (and with object clause) To show.
  • open Old English– transitive . To make known to the mental or spiritual view; to reveal, disclose (a matter, purpose, intention, etc.) ( to ); = to open out at phrasal…
  • sutele Old English–1225 transitive . To make clear or manifest.
  • uppe Old English–1225 transitive . To display or make manifest; to bring to notice; to make known.
  • awn c1175 transitive . To put before a person's eyes; to show, manifest. reflexive . To manifest oneself, appear.
  • kithe c1175– transitive . To make known. To make known by action, appearance, etc.; to manifest, show, prove, demonstrate, indicate. (With simple object , object c …
  • forthtee c1200 transitive . To manifest outwardly.
  • tawne c1220–1325 transitive . To show, manifest, exhibit.
  • let wit c1275– let wit : rarely †let to wit ( let , v.¹ II.12, II.13): to let (a person) know (a thing): (a) To inform (one), or to make (something) known (=…
  • forthshow a1300–1558 transitive . To show forth, declare, exhibit.
  • show a1300– transitive . To exhibit, allow to be seen (some internal quality, emotion, state, etc.) by one's outward appearance. Of one's appearance, features…
  • to pilt out ?a1300–1450 transitive . To place, put, or set; to establish. Also reflexive : to apply. to pilt forth : to put forth, proclaim. to pilt out : to display, exhibit.
  • bare a1325– figurative . To disclose, reveal, make manifest.
  • myth c1330–1553 transitive . To show, reveal, demonstrate.
  • unfold c1374– To disclose or lay open to the view; to display. Also figurative .
  • to open out c1390– transitive . To make known to the mental or spiritual view; to reveal, disclose; = sense II.12a.
  • assign 1398 To exhibit, display, present. Obsolete .
  • muster a1400–1625 transitive . To show, show forth, display, exhibit; to report, tell, explain. Sometimes with clause as object. Obsolete .
  • reyve ?a1400 transitive . To disclose (something), bring out into the open; to make clear.
  • vouch c1400 To put in evidence, to display. Obsolete .
  • manifest ?a1425– transitive . To make (a quality, fact, etc.) evident to the eye or to the understanding; to show plainly, disclose, reveal. Also reflexive , esp…
  • outshow c1425– transitive . poetic . To show forth, exhibit, manifest.
  • ostend c1429– transitive . To show, reveal; to manifest or exhibit; (in later use) spec. to point out, indicate directly.
  • explay c1443–1877 transitive . To unfold, display. nonstandard in later use.
  • object a1500–1829 transitive . To place before the eyes or other senses; to present or offer to the sight, perception, understanding, etc. Usually with to or unto . Obs …
  • reveal a1500– transitive . To make manifest or apparent; to demonstrate, exhibit; to show (a person) to be something.
  • patefy ?1509–1788 transitive . To reveal to the eye or mind; to disclose, to make plain.
  • decipher 1529–1793 transitive . To reveal, disclose; to make manifest or apparent the nature of (a person's character, etc.). Obsolete .
  • relieve 1533–66 transitive . To bring (a matter) into prominence; to make clear or evident. Obsolete . rare .
  • to set out a1540–1681 To declare, proclaim, show forth, reveal. Obsolete .
  • utter 1542–82 To show, display; to bring to light.
  • report 1548 In extended use. transitive . To utter, pronounce. Cf. report , n. I.3. Obsolete . rare .
  • unbuckle 1548– figurative . To free or separate from ; to open up, display; to detach, break off.
  • to set forth 1551–1667 To exhibit, display, show forth. Obsolete .
  • demonstrate 1553– transitive . To exhibit (a quality, ability, feeling, etc.), esp. by action or behaviour; to display, reveal. Also: to express (one's feelings)…
  • testify 1560– transitive . To give evidence of, display, manifest, express (desire, emotion, etc.). Obsolete or archaic .
  • to hold forth 1560–1814 transitive . To offer, proffer, propound, set forth, exhibit. ? Obsolete .
  • explicate 1565–1753 transitive . To spread out to view, display. Obsolete .
  • forthset c1565–84 transitive . To set forth; to present to view, display.
  • to give show of 1567– To make evident (a feeling, quality, etc.); to display or reveal (a thing). Formerly also †to give show of .
  • denude c1572 To lay bare to the mind, disclose, make clear. Obsolete . rare .
  • exhibit 1573– To manifest to the senses, esp. to the sight; to present (a material object) to view.
  • apparent 1577–1601 To make apparent or manifest.
  • display ?1578– To unfold or exhibit to other senses, to observation generally, or to the mind. To exhibit, make manifest, cause to be observed or perceived.
  • carry 1580– transitive . To exhibit or display (a characteristic, attribute, quality, etc., which may be perceived by the senses).
  • cipher 1583–1640 gen. To express, show forth, make manifest by any outward signs, portray, delineate. Const. forth , out . Obsolete .
  • lay a1586 To expound, set forth, lay open. Obsolete .
  • foreshow 1590–1609 To show forth, betoken, display. Obsolete .
  • to bring out 1592– transitive . To make (something hidden or obscure) clearly known, to expose; to develop and make evident (a talent or other personal quality).
  • uncloud ?1594– transitive . To free from obscurity; to make clear or apparent; to brighten or clear (the face, expression, etc.); to illuminate (the mind or…
  • vision 1594– transitive . To show as in a vision; to display to the eye or mind. Also with out .
  • explain 1597–1844 transitive . To make plainly visible; to display. Also reflexive : to reveal oneself to be (something). Obsolete .
  • proclaim 1597– transitive . figurative . Of a thing: to make known or manifest; to be evidence or an indication of, demonstrate; to reveal as ; to show or prove to be .
  • unroll 1598– transitive . In figurative contexts.
  • discloud 1600– transitive . To free or clear from clouds ( literal and figurative ); To reveal, disclose, make clear; to free from gloom or obscurity.
  • remonstrate 1601–1765 transitive . To make plain or manifest; to demonstrate, show; to reveal. Also with to . Obsolete .
  • resent 1602–58 transitive . To give off, exhale (a perfume); to have an odour or suggestion of (something). Obsolete . rare .
  • palesate 1613 transitive . To manifest, reveal.
  • pronounce 1615–1845 transitive . figurative . To be or give evidence of; to manifest, display, make apparent. Obsolete .
  • to speak out 1623– Of things: To declare, manifest, etc.
  • elicit 1641– transitive . To draw forth (what is latent or potential) into sensible existence. Also figurative .
  • confess 1646– figurative . To make known or reveal by circumstances; to be evidence of; to manifest, prove, attest. ( poetic .)
  • bear 1657 transitive . To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic. Cf. to bear life …
  • breathe 1667– transitive . To display, demonstrate, or exude (something); to show, exhibit; to convey.
  • outplay 1702– transitive . To play better than; to beat or surpass in playing (in various senses of the verb). Occasionally reflexive .
  • to throw out 1741– transitive . To give (a sign, indication, hint, etc.).
  • evolve 1744 transitive . To draw out, extract, release; to bring to light, disclose, reveal. Also occasionally intransitive : to come to light, appear. Now rare .
  • announce 1781– transitive . To be the outward sign or expression of (something); (with object and infinitive clause as complement) to serve as evidence that (a…
  • develop 1806– transitive . To acquire (a quality, ability, etc.), gradually or by successive stages. Also: to start to have or experience.
  • exfoliate 1808– transitive . In etymological sense: To unfold the leaves of; to open out, develop. In quot. figurative .
  • evince 1829– To give tokens of possessing; to reveal the presence of (a quality, condition, feeling); to display, exhibit, manifest.
  • exposit 1882– transitive . To reveal, exhibit, show clearly; to expound.
  • pack 1925– colloquial (originally U.S. ). transitive . In extended use: to possess or evince (an attribute, expression, etc.).
The memory of the hert..is assygned in the partye that is vnder the ioynt that is vnder the arme pytte.
Tell us..To whom should we assign the Sphinx's fame.
The various spots assigned to the words and actions of our Saviour.
Whose date may be assigned with certainty to the fourth and fifth centuries.
  • put a1382– transitive . To set or place (a meaning, price, etc.) on , upon , or † in a person or thing; to attribute or assign (a quality, value, etc.) to .
  • apply a1393– transitive . To connect (something abstract) with (a person or thing) as its attribute or cause; to refer, ascribe, attribute. With to , unto . Now rare .
  • suppose ?a1425– transitive . With object and infinitive. In the active.
  • ascribe c1475– To reckon or count to , as a property or characteristic ( rarely as a material possession); to consider or allege as belonging to , to claim for.
  • attach ?1531– transitive . To connect as a corollary, accompaniment, or consequence; to ascribe or attribute. Usually with to (formerly also † with , † upon ). Often in…
  • attribute 1533– To ascribe as a quality or ‘attribute’ belonging, proper, or inherent. (To attribute wisdom to a person = to hold that he or she is wise.)
  • adscribe 1534– transitive . To assign, credit, attribute (something) to a person, cause, etc.; = ascribe , v. II
  • assign ?1541– To ascribe, attribute, or refer, as belonging to or originating in.
  • allude 1561–1634 transitive . To refer or assign (something) as applicable, appropriate, or belonging to . Obsolete .
  • repose 1561–1620 transitive . To regard as existing in something; to ascribe to, perceive in. Obsolete .
  • predicate 1614– transitive . To assert or affirm as a quality, property, or attribute of . (In quot. 1677 intransitive : to allow of such assertion.)
Many good raisons that dyuine right assigneth thereto.
Sundry reasons are assigned of Mr. Cartwright's silence.
To justify my assigning that motive to his behaviour.
No reason can be assigned for the Queen of Hungary's refusing the terms.
  • title Old English–1423 transitive . To ascribe, attribute, or assign (something) to someone. Obsolete .
  • aret c1340–1549 transitive . To reckon to the credit or debit of a person. In a good or neutral sense: To impute, ascribe, attribute to .
  • witen a1375 To impute.
  • witne a1375 To impute, ascribe.
  • ret a1382–1500 transitive . To impute, ascribe, or attribute (something) to a person. Also with in , on .
  • depute 1382–1592 To assign, impute, ascribe, attribute. Obsolete .
  • wite 1382–1534 To impute as guilt; also in neutral sense: To impute. Obsolete .
  • set a1387– To place mentally or conceptually in a certain category; †to regard as being (so-and-so); to consider (a thing) to reside in or to depend on …
  • lay c1425– To bring forward as a charge, accusation, or imputation; to impute, attribute, ascribe (something objectionable). Const. to , † unto , † against , † in , on …
  • expound c1430 To interpret as a prognostic of something. Const. to . Obsolete .
  • impute c1480– transitive . To bring (a fault or the like) into the reckoning against; to lay to the charge of; to attribute or assign as due or owing to († into , unto …
  • attribue 1481–89 To attribute , v.
  • assign 1489– To ascribe (a reason) to or as accounting for anything.
  • reckon 1526– transitive . To assign or attribute to or unto a person or thing; Theology (of God) to impute (righteousness).
  • attribute 1530– To ascribe, impute, or refer, as an effect to the cause; to reckon as a consequence of.
  • count 1535–1701 To reckon or impute to , put down to the account of. Obsolete .
  • allot ?1556– transitive . To attribute (something, esp. an action, quality, etc.) as due or proper to (also unto ). Also with infinitive. Now somewhat archaic .
  • draw 1578–91 transitive . To attribute (something) to a person or thing. Obsolete .
  • object 1613–1776 transitive . To impute, attribute (a quality, characteristic, etc.) to a person. Obsolete .
  • prefer 1628–57 transitive . To refer; to attribute, ascribe. Obsolete .
  • entitle 1629–65 To impute (something) to . Obsolete . Cf. I.1c.
  • imply a1641 To ascribe, attribute: = apply , v. I.ii.4. Obsolete .
  • to score (something) on 1645–61 to score (something) on a person or thing: to lay to the charge of, to impute to. Obsolete .
  • intitule 1651 To impute or ascribe to ; = entitle , v. II.5c.
  • put 1722– transitive . To regard or represent (something) as based upon or arising from a particular source; to base or found (an idea, action, etc.) on or upon …
  • to put down 1723– transitive . figurative . To attribute, charge, or credit (a circumstance, event, etc.) to (originally to the account of ).
  • own 1740 transitive . To attribute (a thing) to some source. Obsolete . rare .
  • place 1802–14 transitive . To ascribe (a fact, circumstance, etc.) to something as a cause; to impute or put down to . Obsolete .
  • to set down 1822– To attribute, or put down to .
  • affiliate 1823– transitive . In extended use. With on , to , etc. To attribute the origin of (something) to a specified person or thing. Now rare .
This is that which we now assign for a reason.
They assigned the insecurity of the roads as their reason for coming..by sea.
I cannot assign a supposition of forgery.
  • assign a1665– To bring forward, allege, offer, suggest (something as a reason, etc.).
The bill..was..sent up in the docket to be assigned by the Queen.
A safe conduct, written and assigned with thine own hand.
  • sign 1442– transitive . To write one's name, signature, or other distinguishing mark on (a letter, card, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender…
  • assign 1563–1633 To sign. Obsolete .
  • underwrite 1569–1793 To write, subscribe, sign (one's name) below, or at the end of, a document, etc. Obsolete .
  • subsign 1572– transitive . To sign one's name at the end of (a document), subscribe; to attest with one's signature or mark. Also: to subscribe (one's name or…
  • undersign 1580– transitive . To sign one's name below (a writing).
  • paragraph 1601–52 transitive . To sign or initial; = paraph , v. 2. Obsolete .
  • style 1619 To sign (a letter) with one's name and title. Obsolete .
  • side-sign 1708–57 transitive to sign (a document) at the side, across each join where the sheets are pasted together lengthwise; cf. side-scription , n.
  • signature 1766– transitive . To put one's signature to (a document, letter, etc.); to authenticate, confirm, or acknowledge authorship of (a piece of writing, a…
  • re-sign 1805– transitive and intransitive . To sign again (in various senses); to sign for a second or further time.
  • autographize 1822– transitive . = autograph , v. 2.
  • autograph 1833– transitive . Esp. of an author or celebrity: to write an autograph on or in (a book, photograph, etc.); to sign.

Additional sense (2022)

All were erroneously assigned male sex at birth, and each had normal female sex-chromosome complement.
Are your ‘gender’ chromosomes either XX if you were assigned female at birth, or XY if you were assigned male?
She may have been assigned male at birth, but what sort of medical intervention she may have had or not had is sort of irrelevant.
From a very early age, he knew that everyone had ‘got it wrong’ when they assigned him female at birth.
I am intersex, but I was assigned male.

Pronunciation

  • ð th ee
  • ɬ rhingy ll

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence <petal> /ˈpɛtl/ but <petally> /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

  • a trap, bath
  • ɑː start, palm, bath
  • ɔː thought, force
  • ᵻ (/ɪ/-/ə/)
  • ᵿ (/ʊ/-/ə/)

Other symbols

  • The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
  • The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
  • Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here .

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in <bitter>

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence <petal> /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but <petally> /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

  • i fleece, happ y
  • æ trap, bath
  • ɑ lot, palm, cloth, thought
  • ɔ cloth, thought
  • ɔr north, force
  • ə strut, comm a
  • ər nurse, lett er
  • ɛ(ə)r square
  • æ̃ sal on

Simple Text Respell

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

  • arr carry (British only)
  • a(ng) gratin
  • o lot (British only)
  • orr sorry (British only)
  • o(ng) salon

Variant forms

assign is one of the 2,000 most common words in modern written English. It is similar in frequency to words like depth , explore , participation , secret , and shoulder .

It typically occurs about 50 times per million words in modern written English.

assign is in frequency band 6, which contains words occurring between 10 and 100 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency of assign, v. , 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole , n.¹, mole , n.², mole , n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Frequency of assign, v. , 2017–2023

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Compounds & derived words

  • assigned , adj. c1374– Allotted, appointed, prescribed, specified, etc.: see the verb.
  • sign , v.² 1389–1641 transitive. To assign, appoint.
  • assigning , n. 1580– The action of assign, v.; assignment, allotment, appointment.
  • misassign , v. 1603– transitive. To assign erroneously; to attribute to the wrong person or thing.
  • reassign , v. 1611– transitive. To assign (a person or thing) again or differently (to a person, place, purpose, category, etc.).
  • assignable , adj. 1659– That may be designated or specified.
  • assigner , n. 1667– One who assigns, allots, apportions, etc.: see the verb.
  • fore-assign , v. 1675–
  • assignor , n. 1690– One who assigns or makes over a right or property. (Correlative to assignee.)
  • pre-assign , v. 1861–

Entry history for assign, v.

assign, v. was first published in 1885; not yet revised.

assign, v. was last modified in June 2024.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

  • corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
  • new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into assign, v. in June 2024.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1885)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

  • View assign, v. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for assign, v., browse entry.

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[ uh - sahyn -m uh nt ]

She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs.

Synonyms: job , obligation

He left for his assignment in the Middle East.

  • an act of assigning; appointment.
  • the transference of a right, interest, or title, or the instrument of transfer.
  • a transference of property to assignees for the benefit of creditors.

/ əˈsaɪnmənt /

  • something that has been assigned, such as a mission or task
  • a position or post to which a person is assigned
  • the act of assigning or state of being assigned

assignment of a lease

  • the document effecting such a transfer
  • the right, interest, or property transferred
  • law (formerly) the transfer, esp by an insolvent debtor, of property in trust for the benefit of his creditors
  • logic a function that associates specific values with each variable in a formal expression
  • history a system (1789–1841) whereby a convict could become the unpaid servant of a freeman

Other Words From

  • misas·signment noun
  • nonas·signment noun
  • reas·signment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assignment 1

Synonym Study

Example sentences.

Yariel Valdés González and I faced these challenges while on assignment in South Florida and the Deep South from July 21-Aug.

They’re putting time into decoration just as they would in their physical classroom, and students can interact with the space by, say, clicking on a bookshelf to get a reading assignment.

For now, if the district moves to in-person learning, instruction in Carlsbad will take place on campus five days per week and students may engage in additional independent practices and other assignments at home.

The assignments must also respect the relationships between the elements in the group.

It’s very hard, by the way, to do real random assignment studies of couples therapy.

His most recent assignment was the 84th Precinct, at the Brooklyn end of the Brooklyn Bridge.

When Lewis was shipped off to Vietnam, his son was just three months old, and the timing of the assignment worried Lewis.

When Vial got that first assignment, she was just beginning her photography career, and Cirque du Soleil was only a few years old.

“For our winter issue, we gave ourselves one assignment: Break The Internet,” wrote Paper.

By the 1950s the rapid assignment of gender to an ambiguously gendered infant had become standard.

Consent to an assignment may be given by the president of the company, without formal vote by the directors.

A transfer by the lessee of the whole or a part of his interest for a part of the time is a sublease and not an assignment.

An assignment to one who has an insurable interest as relative, creditor and the like, is always valid.

When an assignment of it is made, the assignee may sue in his own name for rent accruing after the assignment.

In some states statutes forbid the assignment of such policies for the benefit of creditors.

Related Words

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The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology

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The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology  

Edited by: t. f. hoad.

Based on The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology , the principal authority on the origin and development of English words, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Etymology contains a wealth of information about the English language and its history. Find out where the words 'bungalow' and 'assassin' came from, what 'nice' meant in the Middle Ages and much more.

Bibliographic Information

Affiliations are at time of print publication..

T. F. Hoad is Fellow and Tutor in English language and Medieval Literature at St Peter's College, Oxford.

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  • 1.1 Etymology
  • 1.2 Pronunciation
  • 1.3.1 Hyponyms
  • 1.3.2 Derived terms
  • 1.3.3 Translations
  • 1.4 References
  • 2.1 Alternative forms
  • 2.2 Etymology
  • 2.3 Pronunciation
  • 2.4.1 Synonyms
  • 2.5 References

From Middle English assignement , from Old French assignement . By surface analysis , assign +‎ -ment .

Pronunciation

  • IPA ( key ) : /əˈsaɪnmənt/

Hyphenation: a‧ssign‧ment

  • Rhymes: -aɪnmənt

assignment ( countable and uncountable , plural assignments )

  • The act of assigning ; the allocation of a job or a set of tasks . This flow chart represents the assignment of tasks in our committee.
  • ( LGBT ) The categorization of persons as belonging to the male or female sex .
  • An assigned task . The assignment the department gave him proved to be quite challenging.
  • A position to which someone is assigned. Unbeknownst to Mr Smith, his new assignment was in fact a demotion.
  • ( education ) A task given to students, such as homework or coursework . Mrs Smith gave out our assignments , and said we had to finish them by Monday.
  • ( law ) A transfer of a right or benefit from one person to another. The assignment of the lease has not been finalised yet.
  • ( law ) A document that effects this transfer. Once you receive the assignment in the post, be sure to sign it and send it back as soon as possible.
  • ( programming ) An operation that assigns a value to a variable .
  • ( programming ) : augmented assignment

Derived terms

  • antiassignment
  • assignment operator
  • frequency assignment
  • misassignment
  • nonassignment
  • Procrustean assignment
  • reassignment
  • time-assignment speech interpolation
  • unassignment
  • understand the assignment

Translations

Alternative forms.

  • asm ( pseudo-acronym )

From English assignment .

  • Cantonese ( Jyutping ) : aa 6 saai 1 man 4
  • Jyutping : aa 6 saai 1 man 4
  • Yale : ah s ā ai màhn
  • Cantonese Pinyin : aa 6 saai 1 man 4
  • Guangdong Romanization : a 6 sai 1 men 4
  • Sinological IPA ( key ) : /aː²² saːi̯ ⁵⁵ mɐn²¹/
  • ( Hong Kong Cantonese ) assignment ; homework ; coursework ( Classifier : 份 c )
  • Bauer, Robert S. ( 2021 ) ABC Cantonese-English Comprehensive Dictionary , Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, →ISBN , page 10
  • English Loanwords in Hong Kong Cantonese

origin of word assignment

  • English terms inherited from Middle English
  • English terms derived from Middle English
  • English terms derived from Old French
  • English terms suffixed with -ment
  • English 3-syllable words
  • English terms with IPA pronunciation
  • English terms with audio pronunciation
  • Rhymes:English/aɪnmənt
  • Rhymes:English/aɪnmənt/3 syllables
  • English lemmas
  • English nouns
  • English uncountable nouns
  • English countable nouns
  • English terms with usage examples
  • en:Education
  • en:Programming
  • en:Directives
  • Cantonese terms borrowed from English
  • Cantonese terms derived from English
  • Chinese lemmas
  • Cantonese lemmas
  • Chinese nouns
  • Cantonese nouns
  • Chinese terms with IPA pronunciation
  • Chinese terms written in foreign scripts
  • Hong Kong Cantonese
  • Chinese nouns classified by 份
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COMMENTS

  1. assignment | Etymology of assignment by etymonline

    assignment. (n.) late 14c., "an order, request, directive," from Old French assignement " (legal) assignment (of dower, etc.)," from Late Latin assignamentum, noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin assignare / adsignare "to allot, assign, award" (see assign).

  2. assignment etymology online, origin and meaning

    The word "assignment" originated in the 14th century from the Latin phrase "ad signare," which literally means "to mark to." This phrase was used to refer to the act of assigning a task or duty to someone, often by marking it down in a record or document.

  3. assign | Etymology of assign by etymonline

    "to transfer, convey, bequeath (property); appoint (to someone a task to be done); order,… See origin and meaning of assign.

  4. Etymonline - Online Etymology Dictionary

    The online etymology dictionary (etymonline) is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone.

  5. assignment, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

    The earliest known use of the noun assignment is in the Middle English period (11501500). OED's earliest evidence for assignment is from 1393, in the writing of John Gower, poet. assignment is a borrowing from French.

  6. Assignment Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    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.

  7. assign, v. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

    assign is one of the 2,000 most common words in modern written English. It is similar in frequency to words like depth, explore, participation, secret, and shoulder. It typically occurs about 50 times per million words in modern written English.

  8. ASSIGNMENT Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

    Origin of assignment 1. First recorded in 13501400; Middle English assignament, from Medieval Latin assignāmentum. See assign, -ment.

  9. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology

    Find out where the words 'bungalow' and 'assassin' came from, what 'nice' meant in the Middle Ages and much more.

  10. assignment - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

    Etymology. [edit] From Middle English assignement, from Old French assignement. By surface analysis, assign +‎ -ment. Pronunciation. [edit] IPA (key): /əˈsaɪnmənt/ Hyphenation: a‧ssign‧ment. Audio (US): Rhymes: -aɪnmənt. Noun. [edit] assignment (countable and uncountable, plural assignments) English Wikipedia has an article on: homework assignment.