assemblage

noun

as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij 

 for sense 3 also  ˌa-ˌsäm-ˈbläzh

1

: a collection of persons or things : gathering

2

: the act of assembling : the state of being assembled

3

a

: an artistic composition made from scraps, junk, and odds and ends (as of paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal)

b

: the art of making assemblages

Synonyms

• assembly
• conference
• congregation
• convocation
• gathering
• ingathering
• meeting
• muster

Examples of assemblage in a Sentence

an assemblage of onlookers at the construction site

tried to sort through the assemblage of ripped wrapping paper and boxes for the missing toy

Recent Examples on the Web

Take the case of Nvidia’s newest AI chip, an accelerator GPU known as Blackwell, which is a four-inch square assemblage of silicon and wiring etched with 200 billion transistors. —Peter Green, Quartz, 8 June 2024

The eurozone, an ungainly cross between an economic federation and a bickering assemblage of proud nation-states, will be slower to exploit the new opportunities. —Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020

His most recent works — such as his ‘Trace and Whispering Behind Closed Eyelids’ series — combine elements of collage, assemblage and photography, reprinted and duplicated numerous times, then reassembled and rejiggered into a sunburst of ephemera. —Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024

The researchers noted, however, that some animal protein was consumed, as cut marks were observed on the faunal assemblage, a group of animal fossils found together in a stratum, providing evidence of the butchery and processing of animals at that time. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, from assembler "to bring together, assemble" + -age -age

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

assemblage

noun

as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij 

 for 3 also  ˌas-ˌäm-ˈbläzh

1

: a collection or gathering of persons or things

2

: the act of assembling

3

: an artistic composition made by putting together scraps or junk