assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

as·​sem·​bly-line ə-ˈsem-blē-ˌlīn How to pronounce assembly-line (audio)
Synonyms of assembly-linenext
: made by or as if by an assembly line
especially : lacking originality or creativity
bored by the novel's assembly-line plot

assembly line

2 of 2

noun

1
: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled
2
: a process for turning out a finished product in a mechanically efficient manner
academic assembly lines

Examples of assembly-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The first is a nod to Zao’s assembly-line counter setup, which is similar to the build-your-own concept used by Chipotle Mexican Grill. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2026 When, in the early nineteen-hundreds, Gibson developed the F-style flat-back, inspired by the Stradivarius violin, the idea was to produce a louder instrument that could be used for classical as well as folk music, while being assembly-line-friendly. Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Kristian Brower, an assembly line worker who has been with the company for nearly a year, said the news has been difficult for many longtime employees. Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Most robotic productivity so far has relied on robotic arms and similarly specialized robots that perform the same predictable tasks on assembly lines and in warehouses. ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for assembly-line

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of assembly-line was in 1914

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Assembly-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assembly-line. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

assembly line

noun
: an arrangement of machines, equipment, and workers in which work passes from operation to operation in direct line until the product is assembled

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