assign

[uh-sahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to give or allocate; allot.

   to assign rooms at a hotel.

2. to give out or announce as a task.

   to assign homework.

3. to appoint, as to a post or duty.

   to assign one to guard duty.

4. to designate; name; specify.

   to assign a day for a meeting.

   Synonyms: determine, fix

5. to ascribe; attribute; bring forward.

   to assign a cause.

   Synonyms: offer, show, advance, allege, adduce

6. Law.,  to transfer.

   to assign a contract.

7. Military.,  to place permanently on duty with a unit or under a commander.

verb (used without object)

1. Law.,  to transfer property, especially in trust or for the benefit of creditors.

noun

1. Law.,  Usually assigns. a person to whom the property or interest of another is or may be transferred; assignee.

   my heirs and assigns.

assign

/ əˈsaɪn /

verb

1. to select for and appoint to a post, etc

   to assign an expert to the job

2. to give out or allot (a task, problem, etc)

   to assign advertising to an expert

3. to set apart (a place, person, time, etc) for a particular function or event

   to assign a day for the meeting

4. to attribute to a specified cause, origin, or source; ascribe

   to assign a stone cross to the Vikings

5. to transfer (one's right, interest, or title to property) to someone else

6. (also intr) law (formerly) to transfer (property) to trustees so that it may be used for the benefit of creditors

7. military to allocate (men or materials) on a permanent basis Compare attach

8. computing to place (a value corresponding to a variable) in a memory location

noun

1. law a person to whom property is assigned; assignee

Other Word Forms

• assigner noun
• misassign verb
• nonassigned adjective
• preassign verb (used with object)
• preassigned adjective
• reassign verb (used with object)
• self-assigned adjective
• unassigned adjective
• well-assigned adjective
• assignably adverb
• assignability noun
• assignable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assign¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English assignen, from Old French assigner, from Latin assignāre; equivalent to as- + sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of assign¹

C14: from Old French assigner, from Latin assignāre, from signāre to mark out

Synonym Study

Assign, allocate, allot mean to apportion or measure out. To assign is to distribute available things, designating them to be given to or reserved for specific persons or purposes: to assign duties. To allocate is to earmark or set aside parts of things available or expected in the future, each for a specific purpose: to allocate income to various types of expenses. To allot implies making restrictions as to amount, size, purpose, etc., and then apportioning or assigning: to allot spaces for parking.

Example Sentences

At most, she’s assigned one show a week in the White House circus.

Read more on Salon

Asked if the Turkish military would participate, the source said it had "experience from previous peace missions" and was "ready to undertake any task assigned to it.. to establish and maintain peace".

Read more on Barron's

The sale of assigned and premium seats in January will be a stark change from Southwest’s longstanding open-seating policy.

Read more on MarketWatch

“While early, indicators for our new assigned and extra legroom seating products are in line with expectations,” Jordan said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That’s not the only change—the carrier has also introduced assigned seating fees and a new basic economy fare.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• accredit 
• allow 
• appoint 
• attach 
• authorize 
• charge 
• commit 
• designate 
• draft 
• elect 
• empower 
• entrust 
• hire 
• name 
• nominate 
• refer 
• select