assign

1 of 2

verb

as·​sign ə-ˈsīn How to pronounce assign (audio)
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 noun
assignable adjective
assigner noun
or assignor
ˌa-sə-ˈnȯr How to pronounce assign (audio)
ˌa-ˌsī-,
ə-ˌsī-

assign

2 of 2

noun

: assignee sense 3
heirs and assigns
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of assign in a Sentence

Verb 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 on the Web
Verb
About two dozen of them are assigned to the Foreign Malign Influence Center—the command hub of the battle to protect the Presidential election from manipulation by foreign powers. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 On Thursday, the DOJ announced federal prosecutors from all over the country have been assigned to serve as election officers who will oversee election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
To create user profiles, assign web filters, block network access, and view each user’s online time, tap the Parental Controls button. PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2024 These Terms of Use will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties, and their successors and permitted assigns. Big Think, 10 June 2020 See all Example Sentences for assign 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assign was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near assign

Cite this Entry

“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assign. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

assign

verb
as·​sign
ə-ˈsīn
1
: to give (as a title or right) to someone legally
2
: to pick for a specific use or job
assigned them to work in the kitchen
3
: to give out as a portion or task
parts in the play were assigned to each person
assign homework
4
: to give a certain quality, role, or importance to
events assigned to certain periods of history
assign number values to different letters
assignable
ə-ˈsī-nə-bəl
adjective
assigner
ə-ˈsī-nər
noun
or assignor
ə-ˈsī-nər;
ˌas-ə-ˈnȯ(ə)r,
ˌas-ˌī-,
ə-ˌsī-
assignment
ə-ˈsīn-mənt
noun

Legal Definition

assign

1 of 2 transitive verb
as·​sign ə-ˈsīn How to pronounce assign (audio)
1
: to transfer (property or rights) to another
the general practice by inventors of assigning patent rightsJ. K. Owens
2
: to appoint to a post or duty
assigned to represent the defendant
3
: to fix or specify in relationship or correspondence
a party may assign as error…a failure to give an instruction, if that party properly requested itFederal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 51
assignability noun
assignable adjective
assignor noun

assign

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on assign

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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