assemblage

noun

as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij How to pronounce assemblage (audio)
 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

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 These mineral assemblages are often located at the tops of porphyry systems. Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 The ragtag assemblage includes avuncular Carson (John Carroll Lynch), vaudevillian performer Spooky (DC Young Fly), fast-draw gunman Southpaw (Jake Manley), and saloon girl Queeny (Amber Reign Smith), who’s particularly skilled with knives. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024 And craven reviewers go along with the deceit, pretending that the assemblage of broad performances and mash-up of Britney–Taylor Smith–Olivia Rodrigo musical videos by directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. is not cringe but fresh and expert. Armond White, National Review, 17 Jan. 2024 Outside of the various adaptations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, there exists a splintery assemblage of complicated relationship issues involving the undead. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2024 This was at that time the largest assemblage of people in the history of the United States. USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Now Geico’s many characters — the company has unveiled many figures and scenarios over the years — must vie with Progressive’s Flo and an assemblage built around her; Allstate’s Mayhem; State Farm’s Jake; and a horde of advertising players from Liberty Mutual and Farmers’ Insurance. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Feb. 2024 The upheaval of gentrification is a theme of many of the pieces, which include paintings and collages as well as 3D assemblages. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 The museum’s three floors of works come from two main sources: the Southern Norway Art Museum and the Tangen Collection, the largest and most comprehensive private assemblage of Nordic modern art on the planet. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assemblage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of assemblage was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near assemblage

Cite this Entry

“Assemblage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assemblage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assemblage

noun
as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij How to pronounce assemblage (audio)
 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

More from Merriam-Webster on assemblage

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