/ əˈsaɪn; NAmE / verb
1.
assign sth (to sb) | assign (sb) sth to give sb sth that they can use, or some work or responsibility :
[ vn ]
The two large classrooms have been assigned to us.
The teacher assigned a different task to each of the children.
[ vnn ]
We have been assigned the two large classrooms.
The teacher assigned each of the children a different task.
2.
assign sb (to sth / as sth) to provide a person for a particular task or position :
[ vn ]
They've assigned their best man to the job.
[ vn to inf ]
British forces have been assigned to help with peacekeeping.
3.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] assign sb to sb/sth to send a person to work under the authority of sb or in a particular group :
I was assigned to B platoon.
4.
assign sth to sth to say that sth has a particular value or function, or happens at a particular time or place :
[ vn ]
Assign a different colour to each different type of information.
[ vnn ]
The painting cannot be assigned an exact date.
5.
[ vn ] assign sth to sb ( law ) to say that your property or rights now belong to sb else :
The agreement assigns copyright to the publisher.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French asigner , assiner , from Latin assignare , from ad- to + signare to sign.