assignment

noun

as·sign·ment | \ ə-ˈsīn-mənt

Definition of assignment

1 : the act of assigning something the assignment of a task

2a : a position, post, or office to which one is assigned Her assignment was to the embassy in India.

b : a specified task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned by authority a homework assignment

3 law : the transfer of property especially : the transfer of property to be held in trust or to be used for the benefit of creditors

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about assignment

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for assignment

Synonyms

chore, duty, job, task

Choose the Right Synonym for assignment

task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done. task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance. charged with a variety of tasks duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance. the duties of a lifeguard job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance. the job of turning the company around chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm. every child was assigned chores stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service. a 2-month stint as a reporter assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority. a reporter's assignment

Examples of assignment in a Sentence

The students were given a homework assignment. The reporter's assignment is to interview the candidate. The reporter is here on an assignment. The reporter is here on assignment. The article discusses the recent assignment of senators to some of the more powerful committees. her assignment to the embassy in India the computer's assignment of a number to each image She asked if she could change her seating assignment.

Recent Examples on the Web

The suddenness of Wilkinson’s assignment wasn’t lost on rookie left guard Dalton Risner, either. — Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "Elijah Wilkinson settling in as Broncos right tackle, replacing James," 13 Sep. 2019 McLeod's most recent assignments was three of the four Detroit Lions preseason games last month. — Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, "LeBron James, Detroit media react to Fred McLeod's death on social media," 10 Sep. 2019 Left-handed reliever Wei-Chung Wang was designated for assignment to make room for Neuse on the 40-man roster. — Susan Slusser, SFChronicle.com, "Matt Chapman out of A’s lineup, has headache after being hit by pitch," 29 Aug. 2019 For example, one assignment included students examining how Tuscaloosa is remembered visually. — al, "1st high school black history class of its kind taught at Tuscaloosa," 29 Aug. 2019 Nick Martini was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster, indicating that Brown’s production moved him higher up on the outfield depth chart. — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Oakland Athletics call up left-handed power hitter Seth Brown, place Stephen Piscotty on IL," 26 Aug. 2019 Friday’s assignment had some errors, as anticipated, but Steele Canyon tallied more correct answers and came away with a 17-6 win on a pleasant night in the East County. — Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Steele Canyon survives early test against Eastlake," 23 Aug. 2019 In October the newlyweds drove to Groton, Conn., for Don’s first assignment. — M.a.c. Lynch, courant.com, "Love story: An internet chat room brings two cultures together and a marriage blossoms," 18 Aug. 2019 That Army assignment was only the latest unexpected twist in George Young’s life journey. — Frank O. Sotomayor, azcentral, "Arizona's George Young, first U.S. 4-time Olympic runner, looks back," 17 Aug. 2019

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about assignment

Dictionary Entries near assignment

Statistics for assignment

Last Updated

9 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for assignment

The first known use of assignment was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for assignment

wage assignment

noun

Financial Definition of wage assignment

What It Is

A wage assignment refers to a forced payment of a financial obligation via automatic withholding from an employee's pay.

How It Works

Courts can subject individuals who become delinquent in their obligations to wage assignments. In most cases, wage assignments are ordered when a person is delinquent on child support, spousal support, taxes or loans. If the obligor shows a history of nonpayment, a wage assignment can be used to automatically subtract money owed from his or her payroll without his or her consent. For example, if an individual becomes delinquent on $100 monthly loan payments, a wage assignment automatically deducts the $100 from the person's weekly or monthly paycheck and sends it to the lender.

Why It Matters

Wage assignments are frequently ordered in connection with delinquent child support payments and merchant credit balances. Though unlawful in certain U.S. states, wage assignments can be a useful, proactive method for recouping long-term unpaid debts.

Source: Investing Answers

assignment

noun

English Language Learners Definition of assignment

: a job or duty that is given to someone : a task someone is required to do

: the act of sending someone to a particular group or place as part of a job

: the act of giving a particular value, identity, etc., to something

See the full definition for assignment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

assignment

noun

as·sign·ment | \ ə-ˈsīn-mənt

Kids Definition of assignment

1 : the act of giving out or assigning the assignment of seats

2 : something (as a job or task) that is given out a homework assignment

Keep scrolling for more

assignment

noun

as·sign·ment

Legal Definition of assignment

1 : the act of assigning

2a : a position, post, or office to which one is assigned

b : a task assigned

3 : a present transfer of property or rights

— absolute assignment

: an assignment in which the transfer is complete and leaves the assignor with no interest in the property or right transferred

— assignment for the benefit of creditors

: assignment of property by a debtor to an assignee to be held in trust and used to pay off the debtor's debts

— assignment of income

: an assignment by one taxpayer to another of income for the purpose of avoiding taxes

— assignment of lease

: an assignment by a tenant of all of his or her remaining rights in a property under a lease — compare sublease

— effective assignment

: an assignment by which the assignor's interest in the property or right being assigned is terminated and transferred to the assignee

— equitable assignment

: an assignment (as of property in which one has a future interest) that is not valid at law but that would be upheld in a court of equity

— general assignment

: an assignment for the benefit of creditors of all of a debtor's property to be distributed fairly to the creditors — compare preference

— wage assignment

: an assignment by an employee by which an amount of his or her wages are transferred to another party (as a creditor) before the wages are paid to the employee — compare garnishment