aid

1 of 3

verb

aided; aiding; aids

transitive verb

: to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end
aid a cause
aid a friend

intransitive verb

: to give assistance
research that aided in the discovery of a new drug
aider noun

aid

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: the act of helping someone
climbers in need of aid
b
: help given : assistance
providing aid and comfort
specifically : tangible means of assistance (such as money or supplies)
government aid
2
a
chiefly US : aide
worked as a teacher's aid
b
: something by which assistance is given : an assisting device
an aid to understanding
a visual aid
see hearing aid
3
: a subsidy granted to the king by the English parliament until the 18th century for an extraordinary purpose
4
: a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

AID

3 of 3

abbreviation

1
Agency for International Development
2
artificial insemination by donor

Examples of aid in a Sentence

Verb They gave money in order to aid the cause. She aided them in their efforts. He jumped into the water to aid the drowning child. a home run that was aided by the wind She aided the government in the attempt to fight illiteracy. Noun The project was completed with the aid of several students. The work was done with the aid of a computer. The government has given millions of dollars in economic aid to these nations. She applied for financial aid in order to go to college. The diagram is provided as an aid to understanding. The computer is an aid to keeping costs down. He teaches art with visual aids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But 10 years later, benefits experts told Forbes pensions are making a quiet comeback, aided by better economic conditions, regulatory changes and new wrinkles on the plans that reduce the risks for employers in promising workers retirement income for the rest of their lives. Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 In the time since, Israel has launched a devastating ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and an invasion of neighboring Lebanon, targeting militants long armed and aided by Tehran. Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
Of particular note, the company further says the hearing aid feature is also compatible with Macs running macOS Sequoia 15.1 and later. Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 All proceeds from the concert will benefit the aid organization Samaritan’s Purse. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aid.' 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

Verb and Noun

Middle English eyden, from Anglo-French aider, from Latin adjutare, frequentative of adjuvare, from ad- + juvare to help

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of aid was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near aid

Cite this Entry

“Aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aid. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

aid

1 of 2 verb
: to provide with what is useful or necessary : help, assist
aider noun

aid

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of helping
b
: help given : assistance
2
3
: someone or something that is of help or assistance
a visual aid

Medical Definition

aid

1 of 2 noun
1
: the act of helping or treating
also : the help or treatment given
in need of immediate medical aid
2
: an assisting person or group
a laboratory aid
compare aide
3
: something by which assistance is given : an assisting device
a visual aid
especially : hearing aid

AID

2 of 2 abbreviation
artificial insemination by donor

Legal Definition

aid

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to provide with what is useful in achieving an end
conspiracy to counsel or aid draft resistersK. A. Cohen
often used in the phrase aid and abet
see also abet

intransitive verb

: to be of use
aided in the commission of the crime
aider noun

aid

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of aiding
render aid to the principal
2
: help given
especially : tangible means of assistance (as money or supplies)
aid to the disabled
giving aid and comfort to the enemy

More from Merriam-Webster on aid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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