assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

as·​sem·​bly-line ə-ˈsem-blē-ˌlīn How to pronounce assembly-line (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This static approach was appropriate for filling factory assembly-line positions with individuals expected to retire between 50 and 65. Jerry Cahn, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 As the Wall Street Journal noted this week, since January the Trump administration has put lawfare on an assembly-line basis. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Maybach’s 4-liter twin-turbo V8 is built on AMG’s one-man/one-engine niche assembly line. Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 Lloyd Weil, Akron’s mayor, had declared a holiday, freeing from their desks and assembly lines those workers lucky enough to have jobs during the depths of the Great Depression. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assembly-line

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of assembly-line was in 1914

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assembly-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assembly-line. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on assembly-line

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!