assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

as·​sem·​bly-line ə-ˈsem-blē-ˌlīn 

: made by or as if by an assembly line

especially : lacking originality or creativity

bored by the novel's assembly-line plot

assembly line

2 of 2

noun

1

: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled

2

: a process for turning out a finished product in a mechanically efficient manner

academic assembly lines

Examples of assembly-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dishes are concocted Chipotle-style, by ordering at the assembly-line-style counter. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

This isn’t a labor dispute involving steel workers, auto plant assembly-line employees or teachers. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026

Noun

If these lab figures make it to the assembly line, Hongqi will set a new benchmark and dethrone BYD. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

This nation could, of course, have been a big player in electric vehicles—Tesla was among the first to really mass-produce them, and the big Detroit companies invested large sums to convert assembly lines. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for assembly-line

• aconitine
• anopheline
• antipyrine
• bromocriptine
• chlorhexidine
• clomipramine
• creatinine
• desipramine
• guanethidine
• heterodyne
• imipramine
• meperidine

Kids Definition

assembly line

noun

: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled