assemble

verb

as·​sem·​ble ə-ˈsem-bəl How to pronounce assemble (audio)
assembled; assembling ə-ˈsem-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce assemble (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to bring together (as in a particular place or for a particular purpose)
They assembled a team of experts to solve the problem.
2
: to fit together the parts of
assemble a new bicycle

intransitive verb

: to meet together : convene
The club assembles once a month.
Choose the Right Synonym for assemble

gather, collect, assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit.

gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

Example Sentences

We'll need to assemble a list of songs for the concert. She assembled all of her old photos into three albums. Hundreds of notes and letters were assembled into a book. A team of scientists was assembled to study the problem. The U.S. Constitution gives people the right to assemble peacefully. A crowd had assembled in front of the courthouse during the trial. After dinner, the men would assemble in the living room to watch the game on TV. The club assembles once a month to discuss upcoming activities. Their father helped them assemble their new bicycles in the garage. The cars are assembled on an assembly line. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Most state and federal agencies recommend that families assemble the best emergency survival kits that will meet their basic needs for at least 72 hours in case of a disaster. Jim Cobb, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2023 Someone could use the multiverse to assemble a massive team of superheroes to beat Kang (Jonathan Majors) in Secret Wars. Maren Estrada, BGR, 29 Dec. 2022 CEOs should be able to assemble a team, find partners, and utilize key assets from the core businesses, without distracting from them. James Allen, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2022 Ex buzzfeed employees commenting on Ned and the Try Guys is my avengers assemble. Zoë A. Haylock, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2022 Former president Donald Trump and close aides have spent the days since the FBI searched his Florida home rushing to assemble a team of respected defense lawyers. Anchorage Daily News, 17 Aug. 2022 Former president Donald Trump and close aides have spent the days since the FBI searched his Florida home rushing to assemble a team of respected defense lawyers. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 Former president Donald Trump and close aides have spent the eight days since the FBI searched his Florida home rushing to assemble a team of respected defense lawyers. Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Marvel Studios still hasn't announced anything official… is that because the Kang saga will lead to the creation of a younger, more heroic Kang who will go on to assemble the team? Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assemble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French assembler, from Vulgar Latin *assimulare, from Latin ad- + simul together — more at same

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of assemble was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near assemble

Cite this Entry

“Assemble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assemble. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

assemble

verb
as·​sem·​ble ə-ˈsem-bəl How to pronounce assemble (audio)
assembled; assembling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce assemble (audio)
1
: to collect into one place or group
assembled the crew
2
: to fit together the parts of
assemble a toy
3
: to meet together
the right to assemble peacefully

Legal Definition

assemble

verb
as·​sem·​ble
assembled; assembling

transitive verb

: to bring or summon together into a group especially in a particular place for a particular purpose

intransitive verb

: to come or meet together in a group often formally or for a common purpose
the right of the people peaceably to assembleU.S. Constitution amend. I

More from Merriam-Webster on assemble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY