assemble

¹ American  

[uh-sem-buhl] / əˈsɛm bəl /

verb (used with object)

assembled, assembling

1. to bring together or gather into one place, company, body, or whole.

   Synonyms:

   convoke , convene

   Antonyms:

   disperse

2. to put or fit together; put together the parts of.

   to assemble information for a report; to assemble a toy from a kit.

   Synonyms:

   connect

3. Computers.  compile.

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verb (used without object)

assembled, assembling

1. to come together; gather; meet.

   We assembled in the auditorium.

   Synonyms:

   convene , congregate

   Antonyms:

   disperse

assemblé ² American  

[a-sahn-bley] / a sɑ̃ˈbleɪ /

noun

Ballet.

PLURAL

assemblés

1. a jump in which the dancer throws one leg up, springs off the other, and lands with both feet together.

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assemble ¹ British  

/ əˈsɛmbəl /

verb

1. to come or bring together; collect or congregate

2. to fit or join together (the parts of something, such as a machine)

   to assemble the parts of a kit

3. to run (a computer program) that converts a set of symbolic data, usually in the form of specific single-step instructions, into machine language

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assemblé ² British  

/ asɑ̃ble /

noun

1. ballet a sideways leap in which the feet come together in the air in preparation for landing

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Usage

What does assemble mean? Assemble means to bring together in one place, as in I assembled all of the ingredients for a chocolate cake on the table.Assemble can also mean to put or fit things together, as in Ikea is known for selling furniture that you have to assemble. And assemble can mean to come together or meet up, as in The school staff assembled for a meeting. When used generally, assemble can be used as a synonym for words such as gather, collect, and amass. When used specifically, assemble often means gathering things to arrange them in a proper order or placement, as when you assemble all the parts to build a computer.Alternatively, assemble can mean to put things or parts together. This meaning is often used when referring to building or making something, as in Shontel will need to assemble several bookshelves using only a box of wooden planks. In this sense, assemble is often used to refer to fitting manufactured parts together to make a final product or device. For example, a person would assemble a Lego brick set by snapping the parts together.Both assembly and assemblage are used to refer to something that has been assembled, as in The president spoke to an assembly of world leaders. Example: She assembled a team of scientists so they could all work together on the secret project.

Related Words

See gather. See manufacture.

Etymology

Origin of assemble¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French assembler, from Vulgar Latin assimulāre (unrecorded) “to bring together,” from Latin as- as- + simul “together” ( simultaneous ) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Origin of assemblé²

First recorded in 1820–30; from French, past participle of assembler; assemble

Example Sentences

"I believe it's worth taking the time to assemble a dream team in order to generate science that can be appreciated by the general public," Sereno said.

From Science Daily

In just three years, Papperger has built a business with the breadth of what was assembled over the course of around a century to create BAE Systems, its nearest European rival.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ragsdale is considering making a video to share about how she assembled her sturdy, reusable sign.

From Salon

For one of the color tasks, for instance, the brain would assemble a block that determines the color of the image together with another block that guides eye movements in particular directions.

From Science Daily

Many companies take an “add diversity and stir” approach—assemble a varied team and wait for magic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compile
• construct
• erect
• fit
• form
• join
• manufacture
• produce
• set up