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

Asked whether the initial handful of repertory titles could grow into a larger slate, perhaps with more contemporary releases, Kirk Shintani, creative director at MakeMake, stressed the importance of not taking an assembly-line approach. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026

The process of making those larger paintings has a little bit of an assembly-line aspect to it. —Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

And yet, as a prophet of capitalism, in the regimented ballet of the pin-makers Smith intuited Henry Ford’s assembly line, of how the entire world would become subservient to manufacturing and finance. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

Instead of a traditional linear assembly line, Tesla builds modules separately before bringing them together late in production. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026

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