assignment

noun as·sign·ment \ ə-ˈsīn-mənt \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: assignment in a Sentence

Definition of assignment

1 : the act of assigning something

the assignment of a task

2 a : 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

See assignment defined for English-language learners

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 of assignment from the Web

Pitching deep into games and doing so on less rest is the assignment the remaining starters seem to be facing at the moment, although three off days before the All-Star break should help.

— jeff miller, latimes.com, "Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs practicing a little swagger," 15 June 2018
First-time feature director Jeff Tomsic bashes his way through the assignment in a style to be named later.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'Tag' review: Don't these guys have anything else to do?," 14 June 2018
Rom, with an 8-6 record and 2.42 ERA, is likely to draw the mound assignment Friday.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Ryle softball and Highlands, Campbell County baseball start state championship chases," 6 June 2018
Kevin Durant found his steady stroke to score 26 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists while also handling a load of the defensive assignment against James.

— Fox News, "Warriors beat Cavaliers in Game 2; Curry sets record," 4 June 2018
Kevin Durant found his steady stroke to score 26 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists while also handling a load of the defensive assignment against LeBron James.

— janie mccauley, Houston Chronicle, "Stephen Curry dazzles from deep, Warriors take 2-0 NBA Finals lead," 3 June 2018
Kevin Durant found his steady stroke to score 26 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists while also handling a load of the defensive assignment against LeBron James.

— CBS News, "Steph Curry dazzles from deep, Warriors take 2-0 NBA Finals lead," 3 June 2018
The middle school tech squad members are on call to assist substitute teachers, often showing up before first period to ensure the sub can access the assignments or presentations.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Tech-savvy teens from D204 are presenting at international conference," 1 June 2018
If Democrats re-take control of the House, the assignments Peters has on the Energy, Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs committees would become more influential.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Congressional District 52: Democrat Peters facing six Republican challengers," 1 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of assignment

see ¹assign

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

assignment Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Financial Definition of ASSIGNMENT

wage assignment

noun

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 Defined for Kids

assignment

noun as·sign·ment \ ə-ˈsīn-mənt \

Definition of assignment for Students

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

Law Dictionary

assignment

noun as·sign·ment

legal Definition of assignment

1 : the act of assigning

2 a : 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