assignee

The word "assignee" refers to a person, group, or entity to whom rights, interests, or responsibilities are legally transferred from another party—the assignor. It usually involves a formal assignment, so it means more than merely being asked to do something.

You'll often encounter "assignee" in legal and business contexts. In insurance, an assignee can be the person or company designated to receive payment or benefits. In intellectual property law, an assignee receives rights to a patent or trademark from the original owner. In a lease, the current tenant (the assignor) may assign the lease to another party (the assignee), passing on remaining rights and obligations.

The term also appears in contracts when companies or individuals transfer obligations or claims. In construction, a general contractor may assign a subcontract to another company, making that company the assignee responsible for that scope of work. In finance or licensing, an assignee may take over payments, interests, or claims under an agreement.

Unlike a delegate (who acts on behalf of another), an assignee actually takes over rights or responsibilities. The original assignor generally relinquishes control, though the specifics depend on the agreement. So, if something is assigned to you, you are now legally responsible for it—you are the assignee!