assigned; assigning; assigns
1
: to transfer (property) to another especially in trust or for the benefit of creditors
2
a
: to appoint to a post or duty
assigned them to light duty
assigned me two clerks
b
: to appoint as a duty or task
assigns 20 pages for homework
3
: to fix or specify in correspondence or relationship : select, designate
assign counsel to the defendant
assign a value to the variable
Though assigned male at birth, she appears most comfortable and in her element wearing a skirt and high-heeled sandals when riding a big-wheel or playing with a tea set.—
Will Dean
Will Dean4
a
: to ascribe as a motive, reason, or cause especially after deliberation
b
: to consider to belong to a specified period of time
Archaeologists assign the weapon to the eleventh century.
: assignee sense 3
heirs and assigns
Synonyms
Examples of assign in a Sentence
Verb
The teacher assigned us 50 math problems for homework!
She was assigned to the embassy in India.
The new teacher was assigned to the science laboratory.
The plane landed at its assigned gate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2024
The second legislative proposal has not yet been assigned a committee for debate.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 22 Nov. 2024
PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2024
These Terms of Use will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties, and their successors and permitted assigns.
—Big Think, 10 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for assign 
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Verb
For transgender and nonbinary Odessa residents who have lived under this rule, the recent decision from House Speaker Mike Johnson to reserve congressional bathrooms based on one's gender assigned at birth comes as no surprise.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 23 Nov. 2024
The second legislative proposal has not yet been assigned a committee for debate.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
To create user profiles, assign web filters, block network access, and view each user’s online time, tap the Parental Controls button.
—PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2024
These Terms of Use will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties, and their successors and permitted assigns.
—Big Think, 10 June 2020
See all Example Sentences for assign
Dictionary Entries Near assign
Cite this Entry
“Assign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assign. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
assign
1 of 2 transitive verb
as·sign
ə-ˈsīn 
1
: to transfer (property or rights) to another
the general practice by inventors of assigning patent rights—J. K. Owens
J. K. Owens2
: to appoint to a post or duty
assigned to represent the defendant
3
: to fix or specify in relationship or correspondence
a party may assign as error…a failure to give an instruction, if that party properly requested it—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 51
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 51assign
2 of 2 noun
: assignee
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