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Meaning & use

assembly

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/əˈsɛmbli/
US/əˈsɛmbli/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A group of people who come together for a particular purpose, such as a meeting or gathering.

    Grammar: Can be used with a singular or plural verb when talking about the group as a whole or its members.

    Patterns

    • hold an assembly
    • address an assembly
    • a school assembly

    The principal called a school assembly to announce the new rules.

    A large assembly gathered in the square to protest the new law.

    The assembly of shareholders voted on the merger.

  2. noununcountable

    The process of putting together the parts of something, such as a machine or product.

    Grammar: Often used in industrial or manufacturing contexts.

    Patterns

    • assembly line
    • assembly plant
    • assembly process

    The assembly of the car takes place on a highly automated line.

    Workers at the assembly plant went on strike for better pay.

    The instructions for assembly were confusing and poorly written.

  3. nounproper

    A legislative body, especially in certain countries or organizations.

    Grammar: Often capitalized when part of a name, e.g., 'the National Assembly'.

    Patterns

    • National Assembly
    • General Assembly
    • legislative assembly

    The National Assembly passed the bill after a long debate.

    She was elected to the state assembly last year.

    The UN General Assembly meets annually in New York.

Word forms

pluralassemblies

Common combinations

assembly line
The assembly line produces hundreds of cars each day.
hold an assembly
The school holds an assembly every Monday morning.
assembly hall
The students gathered in the assembly hall for the ceremony.
assembly plant
The new assembly plant will create 500 jobs.

Synonyms and how they differ

gathering
A more general word for a group of people meeting, often informal; 'assembly' is more formal and can imply a specific purpose.
meeting
Usually a smaller, more focused event; 'assembly' often suggests a larger group or a formal occasion.
congregation
Often used for a religious gathering; 'assembly' is broader and can be secular.

Word family

assemble verb
To bring people or parts together.
assembler noun
A person or machine that puts things together.

Commonly confused: assembly or assemble?

assembly vs assemble

The verb meaning 'to gather or put together'; 'assembly' is the noun.

Practice

The workers on the ______ line finished the car in record time.

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