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 of assemblage

• assembly
• conference
• gathering
• meeting

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

Between them, the above assemblage has, among many other accolades, been nominated for 18 Oscars and won a half dozen. —Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

The image of Pippa Garner’s Manette,1992/2024, is radically concrete in its dismantling of the culturally conventional human figure, whereas Garner’s Human Prototype, 2020, seems like a sculptural Franz Marc for this era by virtue of its assemblage of human form across all axes of identity. —Tim Griffin, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025

For its first half, Frankenstein the movie is an infernal construction not unlike the monster at its center, a lavish assemblage of elements that have electricity but no soul. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The unique assemblage ties together many of the elements of the day, which also features NBC’s telecast of the The National Dog Show and an NFL match-up. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Nov. 2025

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