assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

as·​sem·​bly-line ə-ˈsem-blē-ˌlīn 

: made by or as if by an assembly line

especially : lacking originality or creativity

bored by the novel's assembly-line plot

assembly line

2 of 2

noun

1

: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled

2

: a process for turning out a finished product in a mechanically efficient manner

academic assembly lines

Examples of assembly-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This static approach was appropriate for filling factory assembly-line positions with individuals expected to retire between 50 and 65. —Jerry Cahn, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

As the Wall Street Journal noted this week, since January the Trump administration has put lawfare on an assembly-line basis. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025

Noun

From the back of the kitchen, Pat White, 76, watches her volunteers arrange Salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots and salad in assembly line fashion onto white Styrofoam plates for hungry women and children at the Salvation Army Center of Hope. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025

John Hughes would soon arrive with scripts for an assembly line of teen movies. —Cameron Crowe, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for assembly-line

• aconitine
• adamantine
• anopheline
• bromocriptine
• chlorhexidine
• clomipramine
• creatinine
• desipramine
• guanethidine
• heterodyne
• imipramine
• meperidine

Kids Definition

assembly line

noun

: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled