English Reference
noun

assessment

n.
US /əˈsɛsmənt/ UK /ɐsˈɛsmənt/ as·sess·ment UK spelling assessment's, assessment's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    a judgment or opinion about the quality, value, or importance of something.

    the process of evaluating or making a judgment about the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

    Simple

    The teacher's assessment of the student's progress was very positive.

    In context

    A thorough risk assessment must be conducted before the construction crew can begin work on the bridge foundations.

    Usage

    Often used with the prepositions 'of' or 'for'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    a test or assignment used to check how much a student has learned.

    a specific instrument or procedure, such as a test or essay, used to measure a learner's achievement or progress.

    Simple

    We have a final assessment at the end of the course to get our certificate.

    In context

    The module includes several forms of continuous assessment, including weekly quizzes and a final research project.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern education, 'assessment' is often preferred over 'test' because it suggests a broader look at a student's abilities.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical Law

    the act of deciding the value of a property or the amount of tax someone must pay.

    the calculation of the value of a property for taxation purposes, or the specific amount determined.

    Simple

    The city sent out a new tax assessment for all the houses in our neighborhood.

    In context

    The property owner filed an appeal against the government's assessment, claiming the land was valued significantly higher than its market price.

    Usage

    Commonly used in legal and financial contexts regarding property and revenue.

Usage assessment found · direct assessment · formal assessment

WFP rapid assessments have indicated that more than 32,000 people across nearly 100 villages have been affected.

UN News· 13 Aug 2026

The EBU said it could commission an independent security assessment before deciding whether a winning country is capable of hosting the event safely.

The Local· 13 Aug 2026

From assess + -ment.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated