assess
Americanverb (used with object)
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to estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.
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to fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, etc.).
The hurricane damage was assessed at six million dollars.
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to impose a tax or other charge on.
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to estimate or judge the value, character, etc., of; evaluate.
to assess one's efforts.
- Synonyms:
- appraise
verb
-
to judge the worth, importance, etc, of; evaluate
-
(foll by at) to estimate the value of (income, property, etc) for taxation purposes
the estate was assessed at three thousand pounds
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to determine the amount of (a fine, tax, damages, etc)
-
to impose a tax, fine, etc, on (a person or property)
Other Word Forms
- assessable adjective
- overassess verb (used with object)
- reassess verb (used with object)
- unassessable adjective
- unassessed adjective
- well-assessed adjective
Etymology
Origin of assess
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessāre “to assess a tax,” derivative of Latin assessus “seated beside (a judge)” (past participle of assidēre ), equivalent to as- “toward” + sed- (stem of sedēre “to sit”) + -tus past participle suffix; as-, sit 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
FDA regulations also require the agency to assess both safety and effectiveness before approving a substance for compounding.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Doctors have long measured cholesterol levels to assess the risk of heart disease.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Feasibility studies have already been conducted by federal agencies to assess whether a modern correctional facility could be established on the site, though no final decision has been made.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
When the campaign she’s currently working on ends, she said she plans to assess her job prospects and think hard about her next move.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
How, in short, do we assess the potential of an entire local flora for domestication?
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
