assessment
noun
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History of Assessment
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.”
Examples of assessment in a Sentence
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
This bill would ensure more seniors receive a fall risk assessment from a falls expert to prevent accidents, injuries and hospitalizations by including no-cost fall risk assessments from physical or occupational therapists in Medicare beneficiaries’ wellness benefit.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
That growth has triggered concerns that all insurance customers in Florida could face assessments and surcharges if the company cannot pay all claims after a catastrophe.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
The plans were approved by the commanding officer of the Northern Command and the head of the Operations Directorate during a joint situational assessment to prepare for the continuation of combat, the IDF said in a statement.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for assessment 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assessment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near assessment
Cite this Entry
“Assessment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assessment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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assessment
noun
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