WordGarden.ioassemble
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /əsˈɛmbəl/
US
- /əˈsɛmbəl/
Meanings
Verb
to gather people or things together into one place, group, or whole
to fit parts together to make or build something
to translate assembly-language code into machine code
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGOs – you assemble the pieces to create something new! To assemble means to bring things together—often parts or people—to form a complete whole. You might assemble furniture from flat-pack boxes, or an army might assemble before a battle. It's more than just piling things up; it implies careful arrangement and joining. A group of protesters might assemble in a town square, just as a mechanic assembles intricate engine parts.
To assemble something is to gather its parts and put them together, often following instructions or a plan. It's more than just collecting; it implies a deliberate process of joining components to create a finished product or group. Think about building a model airplane—you don't simply have the pieces, you carefully assemble them according to the diagram.
The word operates in two main ways. First, it is used for constructing physical objects, like when you assemble a bicycle: "He spent the afternoon assembling his new bike." Second, it applies to people. A crowd can assemble, meaning they gather together in one place for a specific purpose. A team might assemble before a competition, bringing their skills and talents together.
Historically, "assemble" came into English through Old French assembler, meaning "to bring together." It carries a sense of order and purpose—things aren't just thrown into a pile; they are brought into alignment. You can even use it figuratively to assemble an argument, carefully putting forward your points to support a conclusion.
So, whether you're building something physical, gathering people for a common goal, or constructing a logical case, to assemble is to bring parts together in a purposeful way to create a unified whole.
Examples
- 1
Furniture
The table is easy to assemble if you follow the instructions.
- 2
School gathering
The students assembled in the gym before the ceremony.
- Patternassemble in + place
gather there
- 3
Project team
She assembled a small team to work on the project.
- 4
Courthouse crowd
Reporters began to assemble outside the courthouse before the trial.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Visa documents
We spent the afternoon assembling the documents we needed for the visa application.
- 6
Report sources
The final report was assembled from interviews, emails, and sales data.
- Patternassemble from + sources
create by bringing different parts or sources together
- 7
Museum collection
Over the years, the museum has assembled one of the best photography collections in the country.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- assembleverb
Forms
- assembledpast tenseverb
- assembling-ing formverb
- assemblesverb