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 assemblage includes fragments of the shoulder blades, pelvis, and sacrum, along with nearly complete upper and lower arm bones, a jaw, and teeth, according to Discover Magazine. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Jan. 2026

The hominin bones and animal remains make up an assemblage of fossils that appear to come from the den of a carnivore, perhaps a hyena. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026

In 1921, while developing photographs for the visionary French fashion designer Paul Poiret, Man Ray accidentally made a photogram, in which objects are placed directly on photosensitive paper that is then exposed to light, creating a negative impression of the assemblage on the substrate. —Ara H. Merjian, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

The exhibition is the biggest assemblage of the artist’s work in North America in nearly half a century. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 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