Definition of ASSESSMENT (original) (raw)

1

: the action or an instance of making a judgment about something : the act of assessing something : appraisal

an assessment of the president's achievements

2

: the amount assessed : an amount that a person is officially required to pay especially as a tax

the tax assessment on property

Did you know?

Assessment has two meanings (“an amount that a person is officially required to pay” and “the act of making a judgment about something”) so distinct that one might rightfully wonder if they come from different sources. They do not.

Both are derived from related senses of assess, a verb that for over 500 years has meant “to determine the rate or amount of (a tax).” The monetary sense of assessment is tied to this oldest use of assess. By the 19th century, the verb’s object shifted slightly to produce a new meaning, “to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation.” It was but a short step from here to the broadened sense “to make a judgment about” that is the basis of assessment “the act of making a judgment.”

Synonyms

Examples of assessment in a Sentence

It's a difficult problem that requires careful assessment. I don't agree with his assessment of the problem. The owners claimed the tax assessment on their house was too high.

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.

Russian news agency Interfax reported that both pilots died in the crash, citing a preliminary assessment by emergency workers at the scene. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 25 Dec. 2024 Six homes received major damage from the tornado, according to an assessment by the American Red Cross. —Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, the board also reported that consumer assessments of current conditions slipped slightly, from 141.2 to 140.2. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 Qualified projects would also have to pass a public health assessment to be allowed to raise density. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assessment

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of assessment was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near assessment

Cite this Entry

“Assessment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assessment. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on assessment

Last Updated: 28 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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

Merriam-Webster unabridged