Assignment

The transfer of a contract or a right to buy property at given rates and terms from a mortgagee to another person.

Source: Ginnie Mae

The transfer to another person of any property, real or personal.

Source: U.S. Courts

Designation by a clearing organization of an option writer who will be required to buy (in the case of a put) or sell (in the case of a call) the underlying futures contract or security when an option has been exercised, especially if it has been exercised early.

Source: Commodity Futures Trading Commission

The sale of a lease agreement and transfer of the ownership rights for the leased vehicle from the lessor to an assignee. Many leases are assigned at the time the lease is signed.

Source: Federal Reserve Board

In the Original Medicare Plan, this means a doctor agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan, it can save you money if your doctor accepts assignment. You still pay your share of the cost of the doctor's visit.

Source: Medicare.gov

A term commonly used in connection with a bill of lading. It involves the transfer of rights, title and interest in order to assign goods by endorsing the bill of lading.

Source: U.S. Maritime Administration.

a transfer of ownership of a patent application or patent from one entity to another. Record all assignments with the USPTO Assignment Services Division to maintain clear title to pending patent applications and patents.

Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

A transfer of ownership of a trademark application or trademark registration from one entity to another. The USPTO recommends recording assignments with the USPTO Assignment Services Division to maintain clear title to pending trademark applications and registrations. For information on how to record an assignment, see Recordation Form Cover Sheet.

Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Choosing someone to do something. Usually used in:

    (1) Cases when the court uses a calendar to give (or "assign") cases to judges;

    (2) Lawyers when lawyers are chosen (or "appointed") to represent juveniles, conservatees, or poor defendants; and

    (3) Judges when judges are sent (or "assigned") to different courts to fill in while other judges are on vacation, sick, etc., or to help with cases in a court.

Source: California Courts.