assembly-line

1 of 2

adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Prioritizing scripts over corporate synergy should be music to the ears of cinephiles burned out on Marvel’s assembly-line approach to storytelling. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 The modern assembly line American industrialist Ransom Olds introduced an early automotive assembly-line production system around 1901, while Henry Ford later popularized moving assembly lines in automobile manufacturing. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
The modern assembly line American industrialist Ransom Olds introduced an early automotive assembly-line production system around 1901, while Henry Ford later popularized moving assembly lines in automobile manufacturing. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 His father was an engineer for General Motors, and all of their neighbors also worked on the GM assembly line. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Assembly-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assembly-line. Accessed 1 Nov. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on assembly-line

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster