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an assembling or coming together of a number of persons, usually for a particular purpose:
The principal will speak to all the students at Friday’s assembly.
a group of persons gathered together, usually for a particular purpose, whether religious, political, educational, or social.
(often initial capital letter) Government. a legislative body, especially the lower house of the legislature in certain states of the U.S.:
a bill before the assembly; the New York State Assembly.
Military.

a signal, as by drum or bugle, for troops to fall into ranks or otherwise .
the movement of forces, tanks, soldiers, etc., scattered by battle or battle drill, toward and into a small area.

the putting together of complex machinery, as airplanes, from interchangeable parts of standard dimensions.
Machinery. a group of machine parts, especially one forming a self-contained, independently mounted unit.
Contemporary Examples

In other words, all the elements are in place for vintage Chavez weirdness at the assembly.
The United Nations 2012 General Assembly: What to Expect Katie Baker September 17, 2012

“It’s an assembly line,” says Chloe Hilliard, an up-and-coming African American New York City-based working stand up comic.
SNL’s Kenan Thompson and the Invisible Black Women of Comedy Tricia Romano October 16, 2013

Earlier, Abbas spoke to thunderous applause before the assembly.
U.N. to Vote on Palestine September 26, 2011

I have spoken to some members of the Expediency Council and the assembly of Experts about them, too.
Former Iranian President Blasts Government Reza Aslan July 16, 2009

In the midst of his success, he decided to run for assembly, even though he had not served out his first term as freeholder.
The One Who Got Away Michael Daly October 4, 2011

Historical Examples

He invoked the spirit of his mother; he brought together an assembly of elves and goblins.
Imogen William Godwin

He took off his cap, and bowed as gracefully as a dancing-master to the assembly.
Four Young Explorers Oliver Optic

After the assembly had dispersed the Emperor retired to his private cabinet.
The Intriguers William Le Queux

At the assembly I was quite ashamed of my head, for nobody had long hair.
Customs and Fashions in Old New England Alice Morse Earle

The Paris proletariat were as jealous and suspicious of the assembly as the assembly of them.
A History of the Third French Republic C. H. C. Wright

noun (pl) -blies
a number of people gathered together, esp for a formal meeting held at regular intervals
the act of assembling or the state of being assembled
the process of putting together a number of parts to make a machine or other product
(machinery) a group of mating components before or after fitting together
(military)

a signal for personnel to assemble, as by drum, bugle, etc
(as modifier): an assembly area

noun (pl) -blies
the lower chamber in various American state legislatures See also House of Assembly, legislative assembly, National Assembly
(NZ) short for General Assembly
n.

c.1300, “a gathering of persons, a group gathered for some purpose,” from Old French as(s)emblee “assembly, gathering; union, marriage,” noun use of fem. past participle of assembler “to assemble” (see assemble). Meaning “gathering together” is recorded from early 15c.; that of “act of assembling parts or objects” is from 1914, as is assembly line. School sense is recorded from 1932.
language
An early system on the IBM 702.
[Listed in CACM 2(5):1959-05-16].
(1996-06-27)