assemble
uh-SEHM-buhl
Assemble (verb) means to fit or put pieces together to make something whole. Example: “It took an hour to assemble the flat-pack wardrobe.”
verb
1
To fit or put pieces together to make something whole.
"It took an hour to assemble the flat-pack wardrobe."
"Workers assemble the cars on a long production line."
"Can you help me assemble this bookcase if I hold the pieces?"
2
To gather together as a group.
"The whole school assembled in the hall for the announcement."
"Fans began to assemble outside the stadium hours before the match started."
"Please assemble by the front gate at nine o'clock for the trip."
How to use assemble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring parts or people together into one whole or one place.
Common pairings
assemble a team
assemble furniture
assemble the troops
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- assembles
- Past tense
- assembled
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It took an hour to _____ the flat-pack wardrobe.
Etymology
From Old French assembler, from Medieval Latin assimulare ("to bring together"), from ad- plus similis ("alike") — a doublet of "assimilate".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for assemble
See all rhymes for assemble →Frequently asked questions
What does “assemble” mean?
The word “assemble” means to fit or put pieces together to make something whole. In plain terms, to bring parts or people together into one whole or one place.
How do you pronounce “assemble”?
“Assemble” is pronounced uh-SEHM-buhl (/əˈsɛm.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “assemble” in a sentence?
Here is “assemble” used in a sentence: “It took an hour to assemble the flat-pack wardrobe.”
What is another word for “assemble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “assemble” include construct, produce, put together, begather, round up and congregate.
What is the opposite of “assemble”?
The opposite of “assemble” — its antonyms — are break up, disband, disperse, dissolve and dwindle.
What part of speech is “assemble”?
“Assemble” is a verb.
Where does the word “assemble” come from?
The word “assemble” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French assembler, from Medieval Latin assimulare ("to bring together"), from ad- plus similis ("alike") — a doublet of "assimilate".
Is “assemble” a common word?
“Assemble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between assemble meaning to build and assemble meaning to gather?
Assemble can mean to fit pieces together to make something whole, such as assembling furniture, or it can mean to gather together as a group, such as people assembling for a meeting. Context determines which sense applies, since both involve bringing separate parts or people into one place.
When should you use assemble instead of build?
Assemble is best used when pieces or components already exist and simply need to be fitted together, such as assembling a flat-pack table. Build often implies constructing something from raw materials rather than pre-made parts.
Is assemble a formal word for gathering people together?
Assemble can sound more formal than everyday words like get together, and it is often used for organized gatherings, such as a crowd assembling for an event. It works for both objects being put together and people gathering as a group.
