consign

[kuhn-sahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to hand over or deliver formally or officially; commit (often followed byto ).

   Synonyms: assign, relegate

2. to transfer to another's custody or charge; entrust.

   Synonyms: confide

3. to set apart for or devote to (a special purpose or use).

   to consign two afternoons a week to the club.

4. to banish or set apart in one's mind; relegate.

   to consign unpleasant thoughts to oblivion.

5. Commerce.

   1. to ship, as by common carrier, especially for sale or custody.

   2. to address for such shipment.

6. Obsolete.,  to confirm or ratify, as with a seal or other token.

verb (used without object)

1. to agree or assent.

2. Obsolete.,  to yield or submit.

consign

/ kənˈsaɪn /

verb

1. to hand over or give into the care or charge of another; entrust

2. to commit irrevocably

   he consigned the papers to the flames

3. to commit for admittance

   to consign someone to jail

4. to address or deliver (goods) for sale, disposal, etc

   it was consigned to his London address

5. obsolete,  (intr) to assent; agree

Other Word Forms

• consignable adjective
• consignation noun
• preconsign verb (used with object)
• reconsign verb (used with object)
• unconsignable adjective
• unconsigned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consign¹

1400–50; late Middle English; apparently (< Middle French consigner ) < Medieval Latin consignāre to mark with sign of cross, Latin: to mark with a seal. See con-, sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of consign¹

C15: from Old French consigner, from Latin consignāre to put one's seal to, sign, from signum mark, _sign

Example Sentences

The veteran consigned Crawley to a pair, diving to his left in an incredible feat of athleticism for a memorable caught-and-bowled.

Read more on Barron's

But Eliza consigned the letters to someone else, most likely a male relative, who reportedly burned them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sotheby’s old York Avenue space was designed to be a one-stop-shop for art, so consigned pieces arrived in crates, were photographed and cataloged, then cleaned and reframed if needed—and eventually sold.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We cannot stand by and let a generation of young people be consigned to a life without employment or prospects," he said.

Read more on BBC

Instead the two become friends, and Cora consigns the fling to the realm of her imagination.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assign 
• relegate 
• turn over