assignment
uh-SYN-muhnt
Assignment (noun) means a task given to someone, especially a piece of schoolwork or a work project. Example: “The teacher set a short assignment on rivers for us to finish at home.”
noun
1
A task given to someone, especially a piece of schoolwork or a work project.
"The teacher set a short assignment on rivers for us to finish at home."
"She finished her history assignment the night before it was due."
"His new assignment took him to the company's Tokyo office."
2
The legal transfer of a right, property, or benefit from one person to another.
"The bank approved the assignment of the debt to a new owner."
"Both parties signed a written assignment of the patent to the company."
"The assignment of the lease had to be approved by the landlord."
How to use assignment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA task you've been given, or the formal transfer of a right to someone else.
Common pairings
homework assignment
work assignment
assignment of rights
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Word forms
- Plural
- assignments
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The teacher set a short _____ on rivers for us to finish at home.
Etymology
From Old French assignement, from "assign" plus the noun suffix "-ment".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for assignment
See all rhymes for assignment →Frequently asked questions
What does “assignment” mean?
The word “assignment” means a task given to someone, especially a piece of schoolwork or a work project. In plain terms, a task you've been given, or the formal transfer of a right to someone else.
How do you pronounce “assignment”?
“Assignment” is pronounced uh-SYN-muhnt (/əˈsaɪn.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “assignment” in a sentence?
Here is “assignment” used in a sentence: “She finished her history assignment the night before it was due.”
What part of speech is “assignment”?
“Assignment” is a noun.
Where does the word “assignment” come from?
The word “assignment” comes from Old French. From Old French assignement, from "assign" plus the noun suffix "-ment".
Is “assignment” a common word?
“Assignment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “assignment” have?
“Assignment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a task given to someone, especially a piece of schoolwork or a work project.
What is the difference between an assignment and a task?
A task is any single piece of work someone is asked to do, while an assignment usually implies a defined task that has been formally given, often in a school or workplace setting. Every assignment is a task, but not every task is called an assignment. Assignment also carries a second, legal meaning: the transfer of a right or property from one person to another.
What is the difference between an assignment and a project?
An assignment is typically a specific task with clear instructions and boundaries, whereas a project is broader, often made up of several tasks or assignments working toward a larger goal. In education, an assignment is usually shorter and more contained than a full project. Both can be given as schoolwork or professional work.
When should you use assignment instead of homework?
Homework specifically refers to schoolwork done outside of class, while an assignment can be given for either school or work and may be completed in or out of the classroom. Assignment is the more formal and versatile word. In professional settings, you would say assignment rather than homework.
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