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

The vase in question with traces of opiates has been part of the museum’s Babylonian Collection since shortly after the assemblage of about 40,000 ancient artifacts was established at the university in 1911. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

In it, novice nun Viridiana (Silvia Pinal) does her utmost to maintain her Catholic principles, but her lecherous uncle (Fernando Rey) and a motley assemblage of paupers force her to confront the limits of her idealism. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025

But the contract didn’t define such activity or spell out what a large assemblage means. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

Over several years, Spiro and his wife, Arabella, have worked with Parisian gallerist Lucas Ratton to build their African tribal-art assemblage. —Jill Newman, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 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