assignment problem

noun

A fundamental combinatorial optimization problem in which a number of agents must be assigned to perform a number of tasks, each incurring some cost specific to that agent-task combination, with the goal of performing as many tasks as possible by assigning at most one agent to each task and at most one task to each agent, and with minimal total cost.

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Meanings

nounassignment problem (plural assignment problems)

plural assignment problems

  1. A fundamental combinatorial optimization problem in which a number of agents must be assigned to perform a number of tasks, each incurring some cost specific to that agent-task combination, with the goal of performing as many tasks as possible by assigning at most one agent to each task and at most one task to each agent, and with minimal total cost.
Cite this entry
APA

assignment problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/assignment%20problem

MLA

“assignment problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/assignment%20problem. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “assignment problem,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/assignment%20problem.

Source: assignment problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.