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
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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
The process of making those larger paintings has a little bit of an assembly-line aspect to it.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
By late 1944, one bomber was coming off the assembly line every hour.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assembly-line
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Adjective
Asked whether the initial handful of repertory titles could grow into a larger slate, perhaps with more contemporary releases, Kirk Shintani, creative director at MakeMake, stressed the importance of not taking an assembly-line approach.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
The process of making those larger paintings has a little bit of an assembly-line aspect to it.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
The final assembly line at Guardian is located in an old ironing board factory.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
By late 1944, one bomber was coming off the assembly line every hour.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for assembly-line
Cite this Entry
“Assembly-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assembly-line. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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