Meaning & Definition
noun
A task or piece of work assigned to someone as part of a job or a course of study.
The teacher handed out a challenging math assignment to the students.
The act of assigning something or the state of being assigned.
The assignment of duties was clearly outlined in the project guidelines.
A position or role assigned to someone.
Her assignment as project manager required her to oversee the team’s progress.
An official or formal task, often with specific instructions.
The government issued an assignment to assess the impact of the new policy.
Etymology
From Middle French 'assignement' and Latin 'assignare', meaning to designate.
Common Phrases and Expressions
group assignment:
A project that is completed by a group rather than an individual.
class assignment:
A task given by a teacher to students to be completed outside of class.
work assignment:
A specific task or project assigned to an employee.
Slang Meanings
A brief task or homework that one might not take seriously.
I finished the assignment in 10 minutes; it was a total joke.
An informal or unimportant task.
I got stuck doing the assignment nobody else wanted to do.