assemblage

noun

as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij 

 for sense 3 also  ˌa-ˌsäm-ˈbläzh

1

: a collection of persons or things : gathering

2

: the act of assembling : the state of being assembled

3

a

: an artistic composition made from scraps, junk, and odds and ends (as of paper, cloth, wood, stone, or metal)

b

: the art of making assemblages

Synonyms

• assembly
• conference
• congregation
• convocation
• gathering
• ingathering
• meeting
• muster

Examples of assemblage in a Sentence

an assemblage of onlookers at the construction site

tried to sort through the assemblage of ripped wrapping paper and boxes for the missing toy

Recent Examples on the Web

The presentation of the female artist of the year trophy had an Oscars-style assemblage of previous winners forming a lineup to heap praise on this year’s nominees, something that was not afforded the menfolk in the equivalent gender category. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 May 2025

These are richly imagined characters rather than assemblages of traits correlating with plot as if in a showrunner’s bible. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Next month, both Christie’s and Sotheby’s are hawking storied troves, one an enviable assemblage of modern art by some of the past century’s preeminent names, the other a cache by old masters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Frans Hals. —Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2025

The Peterborough, England–born Matić, at twenty-seven the youngest artist in the cohort, investigates themes of belonging and identity through photography, installation, and sound works and, recently, an assemblage of dolls. —News Desk, Artforum, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, from assembler "to bring together, assemble" + -age -age

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

assemblage

noun

as·​sem·​blage ə-ˈsem-blij 

 for 3 also  ˌas-ˌäm-ˈbläzh

1

: a collection or gathering of persons or things

2

: the act of assembling

3

: an artistic composition made by putting together scraps or junk