Meaning & Definition of word "Assignment"

Assignment

/əˈsaɪ(n)smənt/

noun:

  • 1. A task or piece of work assigned to someone as part of a job or a course of study.
    • Example: The teacher handed out a challenging math assignment to the students.
  • 2. The act of assigning something or the state of being assigned.
    • Example: The assignment of duties was clearly outlined in the project guidelines.
  • 3. A position or role assigned to someone.
    • Example: Her assignment as project manager required her to oversee the team’s progress.
  • 4. An official or formal task, often with specific instructions.
    • Example: 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.

Related Words

assignee:

A person to whom a task or responsibility is assigned.

assign:

To designate someone to a task or position.

assignment operator:

In programming, a symbol that assigns a value to a variable.

Slang Meanings of assignment

Meaning: A brief task or homework that one might not take seriously.

Example Sentence: I finished the assignment in 10 minutes; it was a total joke.

Meaning: An informal or unimportant task.

Example Sentence: I got stuck doing the assignment nobody else wanted to do.