Definition

1. Noun:
   • A task or piece of work allocated to someone as part of a job or course of study: An "assignment" is a specific duty or project given to a person, often with a deadline.
   • The act of assigning or allocating something: "Assignment" refers to the process of designating a task, role, or resource to a person or place.
   • (Law) The transfer of a right, property, or interest: In legal contexts, "assignment" is the act of formally transferring ownership or a claim from one party to another.

Examples of Usage

• As a task or duty:
  • The professor gave us a challenging writing assignment.
  • My first assignment at the new job was to analyze the market data.
• As the act of allocating:
  • The assignment of rooms will take place at check-in.
  • The careful assignment of resources is crucial for the project's success.
• In a legal context:
  • The assignment of the patent was completed last week.
  • He signed the deed of assignment for the property.

Advanced Usage

• "On assignment": Working on a specific task, especially one that involves travel or special duties.
  • The journalist is currently on assignment in the capital.
• "Assignment of blame/responsibility": The act of attributing fault or duty to someone.
  • The report detailed the assignment of responsibility for the safety failure.

Variants and Related Words

• Assign (verb): To allocate a task or duty to someone.
  • The manager will assign the new projects tomorrow.
• Assignee (noun): The person to whom a right or property is legally transferred.
  • The assignee received full ownership of the contract.
• Assignor (noun): The person who transfers a right or property to another.
  • The assignor must sign the document.

Synonyms

• Task: A piece of work to be done.
• Duty: A moral or legal obligation.
• Allocation: The process of distributing resources or duties.

Related Phrases

• Special assignment: A particular task outside of one's regular duties.
  • She was given a special assignment to lead the research team.
• Assignment desk: (In journalism) the department that allocates stories to reporters.
  • The news director coordinated coverage from the assignment desk.

Idioms

• A tough/hard assignment: A very difficult task.
  • Negotiating the peace treaty was a tough assignment for the diplomat.
• To get one's marching orders/assignment: To be given instructions for a new task, often implying a change.
  • After the meeting, the team got their new assignment and began work immediately.

Noun

1. the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
   • the appointment had to be approved by the whole committee
2. an undertaking that you have been assigned to do (as by an instructor)
3. (law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance
4. the act of distributing something to designated places or persons
   • the first task is the assignment of an address to each datum
5. the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another
6. a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)
   • hazardous duty