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
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
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
But companies are now dealing with much more complex issues that can’t be solved with assembly-line thinking.
—Preetpal Singh, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
This all means less brain power for research and development and less physical labor for assembly lines and transportation.
—Tom Le, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assembly-line
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
Historically, the condition is considered the result of monotonous, repetitive tasks like assembly-line jobs or positions in which employees feel undervalued or unrecognized for their work or that lack meaning, purpose and interest.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
But companies are now dealing with much more complex issues that can’t be solved with assembly-line thinking.
—Preetpal Singh, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
But a vision of reinvigorated factory towns and assembly lines that defined America 50 years ago may be out of step with the realities of 2025.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
This all means less brain power for research and development and less physical labor for assembly lines and transportation.
—Tom Le, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for assembly-line
Cite this Entry
“Assembly-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assembly-line. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share