assignment

[uh-sahyn-muhnt]

noun

1. something assigned, as a particular task or duty.

   She completed the assignment and went on to other jobs.

   Synonyms: job, obligation

2. a position of responsibility, post of duty, or the like, to which one is appointed.

   He left for his assignment in the Middle East.

   Synonyms: job, obligation

3. an act of assigning; appointment.

4. Law.

   1. the transference of a right, interest, or title, or the instrument of transfer.

   2. a transference of property to assignees for the benefit of creditors.

assignment

/ əˈsaɪnmənt /

noun

1. something that has been assigned, such as a mission or task

2. a position or post to which a person is assigned

3. the act of assigning or state of being assigned

4. law

   1. the transfer to another of a right, interest, or title to property, esp personal property

      assignment of a lease

   2. the document effecting such a transfer

   3. the right, interest, or property transferred

5. law (formerly) the transfer, esp by an insolvent debtor, of property in trust for the benefit of his creditors

6. logic a function that associates specific values with each variable in a formal expression

7. history a system (1789–1841) whereby a convict could become the unpaid servant of a freeman

Other Word Forms

• misassignment noun
• nonassignment noun
• reassignment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assignment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English assignament, from Medieval Latin assignāmentum. See assign, -ment

Synonym Study

See task.

Example Sentences

Faas—who had sent Mr. Út’s photographer brother on an assignment during which he was killed—may have been atoning.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Kookaburra was even introduced to the County Championship to prepare English players for overseas assignments.

Read more on BBC

A student struggling to complete assignments, for example, could be encouraged to join a six- to eight-week group intervention on motivation and growth, while another might join a tutoring group focused on study skills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Each assignment starts in an old, shabby garage and the mission I watch is delivering water, ammunition and fuel to drone pilots.

Read more on BBC

Although she renounced some of her past conspiratorial views, the House voted to remove her from her committee assignments shortly after she took office.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• appointment 
• chore 
• drill 
• duty 
• homework 
• job 
• position 
• post 
• practice 
• stint