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assignment noun

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What does the noun assignment mean?

There are 14 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun assignment , six of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

assignment 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 noun assignment ?

How is the noun assignment pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun assignment come from.

Earliest known use

Middle English

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

OED's earliest evidence for assignment is from 1393, in the writing of John Gower, poet.

assignment is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French assignement .

Nearby entries

  • 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–
  • assigner, n. 1667–
  • assigning, n. 1580–
  • assignment, n. 1393–
  • assignor, n. 1690–
  • assilag, n. 1698–
  • assimilability, n. a1834–
  • assimilable, adj. & n. 1646–
  • assimilado, n. 1953–
  • assimilant, adj. & n. 1680–84
  • assimilate, adj. & n. 1671–
  • assimilate, v. 1578–
  • assimilated, adj. 1797–
  • assimilateness, n. 1731–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for assignment, n..

assignment, n. was first published in 1885; not yet revised

assignment, n. was last modified in December 2023

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 assignment, n. in December 2023.

Earlier versions of assignment, n. were published in:

OED First Edition (1885)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

  • View assignment, n. in Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for assignment, n., browse entry.

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assignment .  

The main meaning of assignment is now the originally American English one of a task or piece of work allotted to a person. In law it also denotes a legal transfer of a right or property, or the document that effects the transfer. To refer to the action of assigning something to someone, technically either ... ...

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Definition of 'assignment'

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assignment in British English

Assignment in american english, examples of 'assignment' in a sentence assignment, cobuild collocations assignment, trends of assignment.

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  • assigned randomly
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Related terms of assignment

  • seat assignment
  • tough assignment
  • writing assignment
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something assigned, as a particular task or duty: She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs.

a position of responsibility, post of duty, or the like, to which one is appointed: 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.

Origin of assignment

Synonym study for assignment, other words for assignment, other words from assignment.

  • mis·as·sign·ment, noun
  • non·as·sign·ment, noun
  • re·as·sign·ment, noun

Words that may be confused with assignment

  • assignment , assignation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use assignment in a sentence

He traveled to China, India, Russia, and Africa for fashion-related assignments.

Among his previous assignments were stints in war zones like Afghanistan and the Congo.

He also had a reputation for not sticking to the brief of his assignments.

His writing assignments were filled with “a disturbing level” of mayhem, war, and death.

The first faux-Fleming assignments went to writers such as Kingsley Amis (writing as “Robert Markham”) and John Gardner.

Toward the end of the campaign his assignments increased until all his time was taken.

Assignments came to be made of one acre to a family, near the palisaded hamlet for convenience and better security.

For a short time he had no assignments that taxed his abilities in either direction.

If you make as good time as you have made on some other assignments, you can get back here before 10:30.

Not a lot of business-reporting assignments involved spending time with half-naked, sun-baked dudes in remote southern junkyards.

British Dictionary definitions for assignment

/ ( 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

the transfer to another of a right, interest, or title to property, esp personal property : 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

Australian history a system (1789–1841) whereby a convict could become the unpaid servant of a freeman

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cambridge Dictionary

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Definition of assignment – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of assignment from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of assignment

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assignment meaning from oxford dictionary

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Synonyms of assignment

  • as in lesson
  • as in appointment
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Thesaurus Definition of assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • responsibility
  • undertaking
  • requirement
  • designation
  • appointment
  • authorization
  • installment
  • installation
  • destination
  • emplacement
  • investiture
  • singling (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • dethronement

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun assignment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore , duty , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

When is it sensible to use chore instead of assignment ?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

When is duty a more appropriate choice than assignment ?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

When might job be a better fit than assignment ?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

When could stint be used to replace assignment ?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

When can task be used instead of assignment ?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

Thesaurus Entries Near assignment

assignments

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.

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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Definition of assignation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

assignation

  • rumours about his secret assignations with a mystery woman

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

assignment meaning from oxford dictionary

Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of ‘truth-telling’ is ‘quite misleading’

W ordsmith and broadcaster Kel Richards says the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of the word truth-telling is “quite misleading”.

Mr Richards joined Sky News host Peta Credlin to discuss the refining of the meaning behind the word truth-telling and the meaning of doxing.

The definition of truth-telling according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “Recognition or acknowledgement of historical injustices affecting Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people following the colonisation of Australia, and re-evaluation of the impact of the discrimination and often violent treatment they have faced that time”.

“What I want to share with you is the definition from the Oxford English dictionary because the Oxford is the final ultimate authority on the meaning of words and the way words are being used.

“That’s all it looks at – in order words, calling it truth-telling is quite misleading.”

Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of ‘truth-telling’ is ‘quite misleading’

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COMMENTS

  1. assignment noun

    noun /əˈsaɪnmənt/ /əˈsaɪnmənt/ [countable] a task or piece of work that somebody is given to do, usually as part of their job or studies Students are required to complete all homework assignments. You will need to complete three written assignments per semester. a business/special assignment I had set myself a tough assignment.

  2. assignment, n. meanings, etymology and more

    /əˈsʌɪnm (ə)nt/ uh-SIGHN-muhnt U.S. English /əˈsaɪnmənt/ uh-SIGHN-muhnt See pronunciation Where does the noun assignment come from? Earliest known use Middle English The earliest known use of the noun assignment is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for assignment is from 1393, in the writing of John Gower, poet.

  3. assignment

    Meaning, pronunciation and example sentences, English to English reference content. ... Dictionary Synonyms Grammar Explore Premium; Grammar A-Z Spelling Punctuation Usage Writing help Wordlists Word origins Games and quizzes Your language questions Hello English Dictionary Synonyms ... Definition of assignment in English:

  4. ASSIGNMENT

    the process of giving a particular job or piece of work to someone, or of sending someone to a chosen place to do a job: assignment of the various tasks Fewer examples It was a jammy assignment - more of a holiday really. He took this award-winning photograph while on assignment in the Middle East.

  5. Assignment

    assignment. Source: Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage Author(s): Jeremy ButterfieldJeremy Butterfield. The main meaning of assignment is now the originally American English one of a task or piece of work allotted to a person. In law it also denotes a legal transfer of a right or property, or the document that effects the transfer.

  6. Assignment

    The main meaning of assignment is now the originally American English one of a task or piece of work allotted to a person. In law it also denotes a legal transfer of a right or property, or the document that effects the transfer. To refer to the action of assigning something to someone, technically either ...

  7. assignation noun

    Definition of assignation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  8. ASSIGNMENT

    the process of giving a particular job or piece of work to someone, or of sending someone to a chosen place to do a job: assignment of the various tasks Fewer examples It was a plum assignment - more of a vacation really. He took this award-winning photograph while on assignment in the Middle East.

  9. Assignment

    assignment: 1 n an undertaking that you have been assigned to do (as by an instructor) Types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... school assignment , schoolwork a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher writing assignment , written assignment an assignment to write something classroom project a school task requiring considerable ...

  10. ASSIGNMENT Definition & Usage Examples

    Assignment definition: something assigned, as a particular task or duty. See examples of ASSIGNMENT used in a sentence.

  11. ASSIGNMENT definition and meaning

    1. countable noun An assignment is a task or piece of work that you are given to do, especially as part of your job or studies . The assessment for the course involves written assignments and practical tests. Synonyms: task, work, job, charge More Synonyms of assignment 2. uncountable noun

  12. assign verb

    to provide a person for a particular task or position assign somebody (to something/as something) They've assigned their best man to the job. assign somebody to do something U.S. forces have been assigned to help with peacekeeping.

  13. assignment

    From Longman Business Dictionary as‧sign‧ment /əˈsaɪnmənt/ noun 1 [ countable] a piece of work that someone is given My assignment was to save the company, whatever it took. 2 [ uncountable] when someone is given a particular job or task, or sent to work in a particular place or for a particular person With the agreement, GM got more control ove...

  14. Assignment Definition & Meaning

    Assignment definition, something assigned, as a particular task or duty: She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs. See more.

  15. Assignments Definition & Meaning

    noun as· sign· ment ə-ˈsīn-mənt Synonyms of assignment 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

  16. ASSIGNMENT

    a piece of work or job that you are given to do: a written assignment He's on assignment in Brazil. (Definition of assignment from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of assignment in Chinese (Traditional) (尤指學業或工作方面的)任務,功課, (被派遣到某地做的)工作, 分配(任務)… See more in Chinese (Simplified)

  17. ASSIGNMENT

    noun uk / əˈsaɪnmənt/ Add to word list a piece of work or a job that someone gives you to do: a written assignment (Definition of assignment from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of assignment in Chinese (Traditional) (尤指學業或工作方面的)任務,功課, (被派遣到某地做的)工作, 分配(任務)… See more in Chinese (Simplified)

  18. assignment

    assignment meaning: a piece of work or job that you are given to do: . Learn more.

  19. PDF Strategies for Essay Writing

    For some assignments, you'll be given a specific question or problem to address that will guide your thought process. For other assignments, you'll be asked to identify your ... • Avoid beginning with a dictionary definition of a term or concept you will be writing about. If the concept is complicated or unfamiliar to your readers, you

  20. ASSIGNMENT Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

    noun Definition of assignment 1 as in task a piece of work that needs to be done regularly his first newspaper assignment was writing obituaries Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance task job duty project mission chore responsibility function post office operation endeavor undertaking errand stint enterprise commission care route char chare circuit

  21. assignation

    /ˌæsɪɡˈneɪʃn/ /ˌæsɪɡˈneɪʃn/ (formal or humorous) a meeting, especially a secret one, often for sexual or romantic reasons rumours about his secret assignations with a mystery woman Word Origin Take your English to the next level The Oxford Learner's Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words.

  22. Oxford English Dictionary's definition of 'truth-telling' is 'quite

    The definition of truth-telling according to the Oxford English Dictionary is "Recognition or acknowledgement of historical injustices affecting Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ...