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

Dismissing such conflicts as a grotesque but meaningless assemblage of scandals—the love child of Teapot Dome and Watergate—would be a mistake. —Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026

The current assemblage of floor and table lamps in my space are far from curated and leave it feeling dim (and not in an intentional way). —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026

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

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