assess

verb

uh-SES/əˈsɛs/

2 meanings of assess

1
judgeverbtransitive
To determine or estimate the value, quality, or significance of something.
Inspectors assess the building's safety before it can open to the public.
Analysts carefully assess market trends before advising their clients.
UsageSuits careful, deliberate judging: assess the damage, assess the situation, assess whether a plan will work.
Similarevaluate, judge, gauge, appraise, examine
2
fineverbtransitive
To officially set or impose a tax, fine, fee or penalty and charge it to someone.
The league assessed the team a fine for violating the rules.
Courts may assess penalties on companies that pollute rivers.
UsageName the charge: assess a fine, assess the team a fine, or a fee assessed on overdue accounts.
Similarlevy, impose, charge

Practice

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Origin

Latin assidēre, from ad ("to, towards, at") and sedeō ("sit, settle down"), had the past participle assessus. Medieval Latin assessare began as a frequentative of that form, and it passed through Old French assesser into Middle English assessen. Spanish asentar ("to settle") is a cognate.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

Latin assidēre derives from ad and sedeō, with the stated meanings. en.wiktionary.org
Assessus was the past participle of Latin assidēre. en.wiktionary.org
Medieval Latin assessare originated as a frequentative formed from assessus and reached Middle English assessen through Old French assesser. en.wiktionary.org
Spanish asentar is cognate with assess. en.wiktionary.org
Spanish asentar can mean 'to settle'. en.wiktionary.org