plural assignments
1
: a job or duty that is given to someone : a task someone is required to do
My assignment was to clean the equipment. = They gave me the assignment of cleaning the equipment.
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.
2
: the act of assigning something or someone: such as
a
: the act of sending someone to a particular group or place as part of a job
The article discusses the recent assignment of senators to some of the more powerful committees.
her assignment to the embassy in India
b
: the act of giving a particular value, identity, etc., to something
the computer's assignment of a number to each image
c
: the act of saying that someone has something (such as blame)
the assignment of blame/responsibility
d
law
: the act of officially giving property or a legal right to another person
the assignment of property
3
: something (such as a particular position or seat) that is chosen for you to use or have
She asked if she could change her seating assignment.
Cite this Entry
“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/assignment. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
