assignment

American  

[uh-sahyn-muhnt] / əˈsaɪn mənt /

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.

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assignment British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See task.

Other Word Forms

• misassignment noun
• nonassignment noun
• reassignment noun

Etymology

Origin of assignment

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

Example Sentences

University faculty and academic observers note that while students have a constitutional right to express personal beliefs, instructors have the authority to assess assignments on their academic merit.

From Salon

Created in 1991 as part of a university assignment, The Wiggles has become an international phenomenon among young children.

From BBC

Faas—who had sent Mr. Út’s photographer brother on an assignment during which he was killed—may have been atoning.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Kookaburra was even introduced to the County Championship to prepare English players for overseas assignments.

From BBC

A student struggling to complete assignments, for example, could be encouraged to join a six- to eight-week group intervention on motivation and growth, while another might join a tutoring group focused on study skills.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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