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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:
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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)
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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'
Video: pronunciation of assignment
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
- assigned risk
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Related terms of assignment
- seat assignment
- tough assignment
- writing assignment
- challenging assignment
- difficult 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
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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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a children's game in which a group of children hide in secret places and then one child has to go to look for them
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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.
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.”
IMAGES
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COMMENTS
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.
/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.
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:
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.
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.
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 ...
Definition of assignation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
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.
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 ...
Assignment definition: something assigned, as a particular task or duty. See examples of ASSIGNMENT used in a sentence.
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
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.
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...
Assignment definition, something assigned, as a particular task or duty: She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs. See more.
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
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)
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)
assignment meaning: a piece of work or job that you are given to do: . Learn more.
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
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
/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.
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 ...