- present participle of assess.
assessing
Americannoun
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the act or process of estimating the value of property, income, etc., as a basis for taxation.
Duties include the accurate listing and assessing of all properties, including legal ownership, mailing addresses, acreage, and assessed values.
-
the act or process of determining and levying an amount to be paid or charged.
The penalties available to the Commissioner of Human Rights include the assessing of civil fines up to $50,000.
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the act or process of estimating or judging the value, character, condition, progress, etc., of a person or thing.
In the assessing of his own strengths and liabilities, he has probably discovered much about himself.
adjective
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estimating, evaluating, or judging.
In evaluating learning outcomes in early childhood education, it’s important to acknowledge the perspective of the assessing adult.
-
imposing a tax or other charge, or determining the amount of such a charge.
If the amount remitted by any dealer is less than the amount of tax payable, the assessing authority shall serve the dealer with a notice of the outstanding balance.
Etymology
Origin of assessing
First recorded in 1425–75; assess ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun senses; assess ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses
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.
The National Park is overseeing salvage efforts, with Coast Guard personnel assessing potential pollution risks and the need for debris removal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Rebel‑appointed authorities say they are assessing the situation and will release a provisional death toll this evening.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
Aramco is still assessing the damage, they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
For U.S. investors, key to assessing the impact of the yen move will be determining whether Japan is bolstering its currency by selling down its holdings of more than $1 trillion of U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Quickly assessing the situation, Lincoln ran back to his carriage and sent the driver to fetch his friend Dr. D. W. Bliss.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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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.