assembly line

American  

noun

1. an arrangement of machines, tools, and workers in which a product is assembled by having each perform a specific, successive operation on an incomplete unit as it passes by in a series of stages organized in a direct line.

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assembly line British  

noun

1. a sequence of machines, tools, operations, workers, etc, in a factory, arranged so that at each stage a further process is carried out

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assembly line Cultural  

1. A line of factory workers and equipment along which a product being assembled passes consecutively from operation to operation until completed.

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Assembly lines are found in many industries but are particularly associated with automobile manufacturing.

Etymology

Origin of assembly line

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

In 1913, Henry Ford reorganized his Detroit factory around a moving assembly line, slashing the Model T’s assembly time to 93 minutes from 12.5 hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Tesla said last month that the first Cybercab had rolled off the assembly line as the company aims to begin volume production of a vehicle that lacks both pedals and a steering wheel.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

The first Cybercab recently rolled off the assembly line.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

As the U.S. assembly line ramps up, it will meet local demand, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Alone, she manages an assembly line of preparation.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• production line