assign

[ uh-sahyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to give or allocate; allot:

   to assign rooms at a hotel.

2. to give out or announce as a task:

   to assign homework.

3. to appoint, as to a post or duty:

   to assign one to guard duty.

4. to designate; name; specify:

   to assign a day for a meeting.

   Synonyms: determine, fix

5. to ascribe; attribute; bring forward:

   to assign a cause.

   Synonyms: offer, show, advance, allege, adduce

6. Law. to transfer:

   to assign a contract.

7. Military. to place permanently on duty with a unit or under a commander.

verb (used without object)

1. Law. to transfer property, especially in trust or for the benefit of creditors.

noun

1. Usually assigns. Law. a person to whom the property or interest of another is or may be transferred; assignee:

   my heirs and assigns.

assign

/ əˈsaɪn /

verb

1. to select for and appoint to a post, etc

   to assign an expert to the job

2. to give out or allot (a task, problem, etc)

   to assign advertising to an expert

3. to set apart (a place, person, time, etc) for a particular function or event

   to assign a day for the meeting

4. to attribute to a specified cause, origin, or source; ascribe

   to assign a stone cross to the Vikings

5. to transfer (one's right, interest, or title to property) to someone else
6. also intr law (formerly) to transfer (property) to trustees so that it may be used for the benefit of creditors
7. military to allocate (men or materials) on a permanent basis Compare attach
8. computing to place (a value corresponding to a variable) in a memory location

noun

1. law a person to whom property is assigned; assignee

Derived Forms

• asˈsigner, noun
• asˈsignably, adverb
• asˌsignaˈbility, noun
• asˈsignable, adjective

Other Words From

• as·signer Chiefly Law. as·sign·or [uh, -sahy-, nawr, as-, uh, -, nawr], noun
• misas·sign verb
• nonas·signed adjective
• preas·sign verb (used with object)
• preas·signed adjective
• reas·sign verb (used with object)
• self-as·signed adjective
• unas·signed adjective
• well-as·signed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assign¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English assignen, from Old French assigner, from Latin assignāre; equivalent to as- + sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of assign¹

C14: from Old French assigner, from Latin assignāre, from signāre to mark out

Synonym Study

Assign, allocate, allot mean to apportion or measure out. To assign is to distribute available things, designating them to be given to or reserved for specific persons or purposes: to assign duties. To allocate is to earmark or set aside parts of things available or expected in the future, each for a specific purpose: to allocate income to various types of expenses. To allot implies making restrictions as to amount, size, purpose, etc., and then apportioning or assigning: to allot spaces for parking.

Example Sentences

It has now become common practice for musicians to assign a share of their royalties to songs that directly inspired them.

From BBC

The department does, however, assign officers to scores of federal task forces, including one with Homeland Security Investigations dealing with “crime tourists” from South America who travel to the state on temporary 90-day visas and form burglary rings.

From Los Angeles Times

There are two options for sending tickets: The owner can either transfer full ownership to another person or assign the ticket to someone else while retaining the ability to reclaim it if necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

Separately, she pledged to assign more officers to the neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

"I invoke that we assign divinity to all living beings. Cats are also a manifestation of God. Your creator put them here."

From Salon

Related Words

• accredit
• allow
• appoint
• attach
• authorize
• charge
• commit
• designate
• draft
• elect
• empower
• entrust
• hire
• name
• nominate
• refer
• select