assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

as·​sem·​bly-line ə-ˈsem-blē-ˌlīn 

: 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

Adjective

In an age of assembly-line, middle-class comedians who try to squeeze humor out of Quaaludes, Pac-Man, and the reigning TV commercials of the day, Eddie Murphy is an original, razor-sharp fast mouth. —Chet Flippo, Vulture, 3 July 2024

The Tribune found signatures like Gossen’s are routinely tossed in a largely behind-the-scenes process where elections workers make snap decisions in assembly-line fashion using questionable methods. —Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2024

Noun

The contract’s ratification on the eve of Election Day cleared the way for a major U.S. manufacturer and government contractor to restart Pacific Northwest assembly lines that the walkout idled for 53 days. —David Koenig, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Welding robots on auto assembly lines aren’t thinking about keeping you safe; vacuum cleaners aren’t thinking about spiffing up your home. —Laura Brown, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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