assemble

¹

[uh-sem-buhl]

verb (used with object)

assembled, assembling 

1. to bring together or gather into one place, company, body, or whole.

   Synonyms: convoke, convene
   Antonyms: disperse

2. to put or fit together; put together the parts of.

   to assemble information for a report; to assemble a toy from a kit.

   Synonyms: connect

3. Computers.,  compile.

verb (used without object)

assembled, assembling 

1. to come together; gather; meet.

   We assembled in the auditorium.

   Synonyms: convene, congregate
   Antonyms: disperse

assemblé

²

[a-sahn-bley]

noun

Ballet.

plural

assemblés 

1. a jump in which the dancer throws one leg up, springs off the other, and lands with both feet together.

assemble

¹

/ əˈsɛmbəl /

verb

1. to come or bring together; collect or congregate

2. to fit or join together (the parts of something, such as a machine)

   to assemble the parts of a kit

3. to run (a computer program) that converts a set of symbolic data, usually in the form of specific single-step instructions, into machine language

assemblé

²

/ asɑ̃ble /

noun

1. ballet a sideways leap in which the feet come together in the air in preparation for landing

Word History and Origins

Origin of assemble¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French assembler, from Vulgar Latin assimulāre (unrecorded) “to bring together,” from Latin as- as- + simul “together” ( simultaneous ) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Origin of assemble²

First recorded in 1820–30; from French, past participle of assembler; assemble

Word History and Origins

Origin of assemble¹

C13: from Old French assembler, from Vulgar Latin assimulāre (unattested) to bring together, from Latin simul together

Origin of assemble²

literally: brought together

Synonym Study

See gather. See manufacture.

Example Sentences

When the sprawling compilation album “Transa” came out last fall, Massima Bell — a musician, model and activist who helped assemble the project under the aegis of the Red Hot organization — thought of it as a crucial act of “archive-making” for one of society’s most marginalized communities.

From Los Angeles Times

The members of r/knitting began to assemble, keeping panicked records of these announcements, the bell tolling with every new post: another yarn brand down.

From Slate

These departments and agencies use Palantir’s platform to assemble detailed profiles of individuals, mapping their social networks, tracking their movements, identifying their physical characteristics and reviewing their criminal history.

From Salon

During that pause, rescue workers and medical personnel will assemble.

From Los Angeles Times

“I could see how groups of boys, whether it’s in high school, a fraternity or a basketball team, start to assemble themselves and create sort of unspoken hierarchies,” Russell says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compile 
• construct 
• erect 
• fit 
• form 
• join 
• manufacture 
• produce 
• set up 

When To Use

What does assemble mean?

Assemble means to bring together in one place, as in I assembled all of the ingredients for a chocolate cake on the table.Assemble can also mean to put or fit things together, as in Ikea is known for selling furniture that you have to assemble. And assemble can mean to come together or meet up, as in The school staff assembled for a meeting. When used generally, assemble can be used as a synonym for words such as gather, collect, and amass. When used specifically, assemble often means gathering things to arrange them in a proper order or placement, as when you assemble all the parts to build a computer.Alternatively, assemble can mean to put things or parts together. This meaning is often used when referring to building or making something, as in Shontel will need to assemble several bookshelves using only a box of wooden planks. In this sense, assemble is often used to refer to fitting manufactured parts together to make a final product or device. For example, a person would assemble a Lego brick set by snapping the parts together.Both assembly and assemblage are used to refer to something that has been assembled, as in The president spoke to an assembly of world leaders. Example: She assembled a team of scientists so they could all work together on the secret project.