assignment

[uh-sahyn-muhnt]

noun

1. something assigned, as a particular task or duty.

   She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs.

   Synonyms: job, obligation

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

   He left for his assignment in the Middle East.

   Synonyms: job, obligation

3. an act of assigning; appointment.

4. Law.

   1. the transference of a right, interest, or title, or the instrument of transfer.

   2. a transference of property to assignees for the benefit of creditors.

assignment

/ əˈsaɪnmənt /

noun

1. something that has been assigned, such as a mission or task

2. a position or post to which a person is assigned

3. the act of assigning or state of being assigned

4. law

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

      assignment of a lease

   2. the document effecting such a transfer

   3. the right, interest, or property transferred

5. law (formerly) the transfer, esp by an insolvent debtor, of property in trust for the benefit of his creditors

6. logic a function that associates specific values with each variable in a formal expression

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

Other Word Forms

• misassignment noun
• nonassignment noun
• reassignment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assignment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English assignament, from Medieval Latin assignāmentum. See assign, -ment

Synonym Study

See task.

Example Sentences

And while Tan was assured that he would be given time to continue working on the case, he was soon buried with new assignments, according to Verdin’s claim.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Fittingly, the photographer behind the viral photo, Terrill, was present, but on assignment like other photographers at the event.

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“She had a reputation before I even knew her,” he says, remembering one of her early assignments, a project she photographed but didn’t direct.

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“You know,” Ma begins, “it’s this same carelessness that gets you zeros on your assignments. Even if you turn them in late, you can still get at least half credit.”

Read more on Literature

Indeed, there had only been one time during all Penelope’s student days in which she had been unable to complete an assignment, and the memory of it still made her itch.

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Related Words

• appointment 
• chore 
• drill 
• duty 
• homework 
• job 
• position 
• post 
• practice 
• stint