asset

noun

as·​set ˈa-ˌset How to pronounce asset (audio)
 also  -sət
plural assets
1
assets plural
a
: the property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment of his or her debts and legacies
b
: the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts
2
: advantage, resource
His wit is his chief asset.
sometimes used euphemistically or humorously in the plural to refer to parts of a person's body (such as the breasts or buttocks) that are considered attractive
We tested RLS's eight-panel shorts on a one-day bike ride. … there was enough padding for saddle comfort, yet not so much that it exaggerated our assets.Vicky Lowry
Greenberg hid his athletic physique under baggy clothes … until he realized that tighter jeans and knits show off his assets better.Sandra Nygaard
3
a
: an item of value owned
b
assets plural : the items on a balance sheet showing the book value of property owned
4
: something useful in an effort to foil or defeat an enemy: such as
a
: a piece of military equipment
b
: spy

Examples of asset in a Sentence

The state's natural assets include mountains and beautiful lakes. rumors persisted that CIA assets were behind the coup d'état
Recent Examples on the Web Euroclear is accumulating vast amounts of cash because of payments associated with frozen Russian assets. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 If Trump has money in savings or brokerage accounts, James could attempt to freeze those assets to satisfy a portion of the judgment, according to Steven Cohen, a New York attorney whose work includes enforcing judgments. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 Such key assets as CBS and cable channels including BET, Paramount and Nickelodeon would be shunted aside. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Some, such as the French finance minister Bruno Le Maire, argued that taking Russian central bank assets directly would violate international law. Monika Pronczuk, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Or, more recently, there’s been Jane Fraser, head of Citi, making headlines while trying to overhaul the third-largest bank by assets. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Borrell said sanctioned individuals would be restricted from traveling to Europe and could have their assets seized. Louisa Loveluck, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 At the Game Developers Conference on Monday, Adobe debuted two new integrations for its Substance 3D design software suite that allow 3D artists to quickly produce creative assets for their projects using text descriptions. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 18 Mar. 2024 The Ukrainian military official acknowledged the possibility that the tasking was just a benevolent citizen or group with curiosity about obscure Ukrainian military assets and armor factories. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asset.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French assetz, from asez enough, from Vulgar Latin *ad satis, from Latin ad to + satis enough — more at at, sad

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of asset was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near asset

Cite this Entry

“Asset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asset. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

asset

noun
as·​set ˈas-ˌet How to pronounce asset (audio)
1
plural : all the property of a person, corporation, or estate that may be used in payment of debts
2
: a quality or thing that can be used to advantage
a real asset to the team

Legal Definition

asset

noun
as·​set ˈa-ˌset, -sət How to pronounce asset (audio)
1
: the entire property of a person, business organization, or estate that is subject to the payment of debts
used in pl.
compare equity
2
: an item of property owned
admitted asset
: an asset allowed by law to be included in determining the financial condition of an insurance company compare nonadmitted asset in this entry
appointive asset
: an asset in an estate that is to be distributed under a power of appointment
capital asset
: a tangible or intangible long-term asset especially that is not regularly bought or sold as part of the owner's business
specifically : any asset classified as a capital asset by law (as section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code)
current asset
: a short-term asset (as inventory, an account receivable, or a note) that can be quickly converted into cash
equitable asset
: an asset especially in an estate that is subject to the payment of debts only in a court of equity
fixed asset
: a tangible asset (as a piece of equipment) that is of a permanent or long-term nature
intangible asset
: an asset (as goodwill or a patent) that does not have physical form
marital asset
: an asset acquired by either spouse or both spouses during a marriage

Note: Marital assets are generally subject to equitable distribution on divorce.

net assets
: the excess of assets over liabilities

called also net worth

: admitted assets considered as a whole
net quick assets
: the excess of quick assets over current liabilities
nonadmitted asset
: an asset not allowed by law to be included in determining the financial condition of an insurance company because it cannot be quickly converted into cash without incurring a loss compare admitted asset in this entry
quick assets
: cash, accounts receivable, and other current assets except inventories
tangible asset
: an asset that has physical form and is capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value
wasting asset
: property (as a copyright or oil well) that will eventually expire or be used up and lose its value
Etymology

back-formation from assets, singular, sufficient property to pay debts and legacies, from Anglo-French asetz, from Old French asez enough

More from Merriam-Webster on asset

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!