assemble

¹

[ uh-sem-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, as·sem·bled, as·sem·bling.

1. to bring together or gather into one place, company, body, or whole.

   Synonyms: convoke, convene

   Antonyms: disperse

2. to put or fit together; put together the parts of:

   to assemble information for a report; to assemble a toy from a kit.

   Synonyms: connect

3. Computers. compile ( def 4 ).

verb (used without object)

, as·sem·bled, as·sem·bling.

1. to come together; gather; meet:

   We assembled in the auditorium.

   Synonyms: convene, congregate

   Antonyms: disperse

assemblé

²

[ French a-sahn-bley ]

noun

, Ballet.

, plural as·sem·blés [a, -sah, n, -, bley].

1. a jump in which the dancer throws one leg up, springs off the other, and lands with both feet together.

assemblé

¹

/ asɑ̃ble /

noun

1. ballet a sideways leap in which the feet come together in the air in preparation for landing

assemble

²

/ əˈsɛmbəl /

verb

1. to come or bring together; collect or congregate
2. to fit or join together (the parts of something, such as a machine)

   to assemble the parts of a kit

3. to run (a computer program) that converts a set of symbolic data, usually in the form of specific single-step instructions, into machine language

Word History and Origins

Origin of assemble¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French assembler, from Vulgar Latin assimulāre (unrecorded) “to bring together,” from Latin as- as- + simul “together” ( simultaneous ) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Origin of assemble²

First recorded in 1820–30; from French, past participle of assembler; assemble

Word History and Origins

Origin of assemble¹

literally: brought together

Origin of assemble²

C13: from Old French assembler, from Vulgar Latin assimulāre (unattested) to bring together, from Latin simul together

Synonym Study

See gather. See manufacture.

Example Sentences

One Direction was assembled on the British talent show “The X Factor” in 2010 when the members were teenagers.

From New York Times

At the time, he anticipated that the task force, once assembled, would complete its work over about three months.

From Los Angeles Times

He assembled Voices from the Plain of Jars, a book with the subtitle “Life Under an Air War,” published in 1972.

From Salon

Genes contain the essential building instructions for life, guiding cells on which amino acids to assemble in what sequence to produce specific proteins.

From Science Daily

Regardless, these pieces have been assembled, as well as conducted, with thoughtfulness and care.

From New York Times

Related Words

• compile
• construct
• erect
• fit
• form
• join
• manufacture
• produce
• set up

More About Assemble

What does assemble mean?

Assemble means to bring together in one place, as in I assembled all of the ingredients for a chocolate cake on the table.

Assemble can also mean to put or fit things together, as in Ikea is known for selling furniture that you have to assemble. 

And assemble can mean to come together or meet up, as in The school staff assembled for a meeting. 

When used generally, assemble can be used as a synonym for words such as gather, collect, and amass. When used specifically, assemble often means gathering things to arrange them in a proper order or placement, as when you assemble all the parts to build a computer.

Alternatively, assemble can mean to put things or parts together. This meaning is often used when referring to building or making something, as in Shontel will need to assemble several bookshelves using only a box of wooden planks. 

In this sense, assemble is often used to refer to fitting manufactured parts together to make a final product or device. For example, a person would assemble a Lego brick set by snapping the parts together.

Both assembly and assemblage are used to refer to something that has been assembled, as in The president spoke to an assembly of world leaders. 

Example: She assembled a team of scientists so they could all work together on the secret project.

Where does assemble come from?

The first records of assemble come from around 1200. It ultimately comes from the Latin simul, meaning “together.” And, sure enough, to assemble things means to bring them together in one place or to put parts together.

Assemble is a common word used to describe people or things coming together. People will often assemble for many different reasons, such as to watch a concert, listen to a speech, or wait for a bus. In the United States, the Constitution specifically gives citizens the right to peacefully assemble, that is to gather in one place, in order to collectively petition the government. Less seriously, the superhero Captain America often orders the Avengers to “assemble!” so they can work together to fight bad guys.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for assemble?

• amass
• collect
• gather
• convene 
• summon

What are some words that share a root or word element with assemble? 

• assembly
• assemblage

What are some words that often get used in discussing assemble?

• meeting
• congregation
• parts
• ingredients
• team
• furniture

How is assemble used in real life?

Assemble is a common word used to describe people or things being gathered in one place or into one group.

send me your favorite anime fight scenes so i can assemble them into a playlist that will soothe me for the next 48 hours

— bij (@bijanstephen) November 2, 2020

I need somebody who can assemble a balloon arch in Houston!! Somebody, anybody I just don’t want to do it!

— Cierra💕 (@CeeRechelle) April 29, 2021

Jay-Z sure knows how to assemble an army of producers.

— Atman (@Atmvn) June 17, 2013

 

Try using assemble!

Which of the following words is a synonym of assemble?

A. gather
B. break
C. grow
D. disperse