assessment

noun

as·​sess·​ment ə-ˈses-mənt 

a-

1

: the action or an instance of making a judgment about something : the act of assessing something : appraisal

assessment of damages

an assessment of the president's achievements

2

: the amount assessed : an amount that a person is officially required to pay especially as a tax

the tax assessment on property

Did you know?

History of Assessment

Assessment has two meanings (“an amount that a person is officially required to pay” and “the act of making a judgment about something”) so distinct that one might rightfully wonder if they come from different sources. They do not.

Both are derived from related senses of assess, a verb that for over 500 years has meant “to determine the rate or amount of (a tax).” The monetary sense of assessment is tied to this oldest use of assess. By the 19th century, the verb’s object shifted slightly to produce a new meaning, “to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation.” It was but a short step from here to the broadened sense “to make a judgment about” that is the basis of assessment “the act of making a judgment.”

Synonyms of assessment

• tax

Examples of assessment in a Sentence

It's a difficult problem that requires careful assessment.

I don't agree with his assessment of the problem.

The owners claimed the tax assessment on their house was too high.

Recent Examples on the Web

CardsHQ's Wilson said some variation between assessments is an inherent challenge in a process that involves human judgment. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

The National Park Service (NPS) environmental assessment found that the arch would adversely affect surrounding historical properties, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Nov. 2026

This latest offering brings together three critical report tools in one assessment which will measure a facility’s environmental impact across key considerations such as energy and water while also tracking its reduction targets. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

Information about estimates for work on the projects has been slim, even in court, with assessments trickling out during testimony in some cases. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see assess

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assessment

• self-assessment
• special assessment

Rhymes for assessment

• impressment
• reassessment

Kids Definition

assessment

noun

as·​sess·​ment ə-ˈses-mənt 

a-

1

: the act of assessing

2

: the amount or value assessed