assign

verb as·sign \ ə-ˈsīn \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: assign in a Sentence

Definition of assign

assigned; assigning; assigns

transitive verb

1 : to transfer (property) to another especially in trust or for the benefit of creditors

2 a : to appoint to a post or duty

assigned them to light duty

assigned me two clerks

b : to appoint as a duty or task

assigns 20 pages for homework

3 : to fix or specify in correspondence or relationship : select, designate

assign counsel to the defendant

assign a value to the variable

Though assigned male at birth, she appears most comfortable and in her element wearing a skirt and high-heeled sandals when riding a big-wheel or playing with a tea set.
—Will Dean

4 a : to ascribe as a motive, reason, or cause especially after deliberation

b : to consider to belong to a specified period of time

Archaeologists assign the weapon to the eleventh century.

—

assignability

play \-ˌsī-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

assignable

play \-ˈsī-nə-bəl\ adjective

—

assigner

play \ə-ˈsī-nər\ or assignor play \ˌa-sə-ˈnȯr, ˌa-ˌsī-, ə-ˌsī-\ noun

See assign defined for English-language learners

See assign defined for kids

Examples of assign in a Sentence

The teacher assigned us 50 math problems for homework!
She was assigned to the embassy in India.
The new teacher was assigned to the science laboratory.
The plane landed at its assigned gate.

Recent Examples of assign from the Web

Their commanders have been told to plan for a possible cut of up to 50% in the number of special forces assigned to the region.

— The Economist, "Jihadists are trying to take over the Sahel," 12 July 2018
The chairmen and chairwomen of committees decide which of the bills assigned to them are heard.

— philip athey, azcentral, "Fact check: Mailer attacking Sen. Kate Brophy McGee's record on tax bill misses the mark," 10 July 2018
Thomas Lauria, a White & Case LLP lawyer representing Oaktree, said Monday that the investment firm is putting together an offer that would exceed the value currently assigned to the teen retailer.

— becky yerak, WSJ, "Oaktree Expected to Make Bid for Claire’s," 9 July 2018
In addition, an alleged accomplice of the pair was taken into custody in France and an Iranian diplomat assigned to Tehran's embassy in Vienna was arrested in Germany, his diplomatic immunity stripped by the Austrians.

— NBC News, "Was it an Iranian terror plot or a false flag operation?," 6 July 2018
Knight, a right-hander from the University of Arkansas, will receive a $1.1 million bonus, which is significantly higher than the $663,200 slot bonus value assigned to the 87th overall pick.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Early Orioles notes: David Hess optioned to Triple-A Norfolk; third-round pick Blaine Knight signs," 6 July 2018
Palmer is a hospital corpsman assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

— CBS News, "Parents of missing Hawaii-based Navy sailor Shaun Palmer get text from his phone," 4 July 2018
Kowar received a $2,147,500 signing bonus, about $28,000 above the slot value of $2,118,700 assigned to the 33rd pick.

— maria torres, kansascity, "With a few days left to sign top draft picks, Royals ink pitcher Jackson Kowar," 2 July 2018
Back in fiscal year 2000, when apprehensions peaked at 1.64 million, there were 8,580 agents assigned to the border with Mexico.

— lori robertson, USA TODAY, "Illegal immigration: Separating the facts from fiction," 30 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of assign

Middle English, from Anglo-French assigner, from Latin assignare, from ad- + signare to mark, from signum mark, sign

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

assign Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of assign

ascribe, attribute, assign, impute, credit mean to lay something to the account of a person or thing. ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship.

- forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters

attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe, less definiteness than assign.

- attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate

assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation.

- assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period

impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame.

- tried to impute sinister motives to my actions

credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation.

- credited his teammates for his success

assign

noun

Definition of assign

: assignee 3

heirs and assigns

Recent Examples of assign from the Web

IBT Media and its affiliates, successors, assigns, employees, agents, directors, officers and shareholders do not undertake or assume any duty to monitor our site for inappropriate or unlawful content.

— Newsweek, "Terms of Service," 14 Mar. 2018
Schools that are oversubscribed assign seats by lottery.

— kate taylor, New York Times, "City Announces Plan to Diversify Lower Manhattan Schools," 26 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of assign

see ¹assign

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

ASSIGN Defined for English Language Learners

assign

verb

Definition of assign for English Language Learners

: to give someone a particular job or duty : to require someone to do a particular task
: to send (someone) to a particular group or place as part of a job
: to give out something : to provide someone with something