assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt 

1

: a person who assists someone : helper

also : a person holding an assistantship

2

: a device or product that provides assistance

software assistants

personal digital assistant

see pda entry 1

assistant adjective

Synonyms

• adjunct
• adjutant
• aid
• aide
• apprentice
• coadjutor
• deputy
• helper
• helpmate
• helpmeet
• lieutenant
• mate
• sidekick

Examples of assistant in a Sentence

an assistant to the college president

an assistant to the store manager

a wealthy executive who has a personal assistant

Recent Examples on the Web

Lead assistant coach David Adelman took on head coaching duties for the Nuggets in New Orleans, where the court was painted blue for their first NBA Cup game. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024

The new system lets users ask questions about NASA’s satellite data in plain English, similar to chatting with a virtual assistant. —Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Hager finished his 35-year military career as deputy commanding general for operations, Cyber National Mission Force and mobilization assistant to the commander for USCYBERCOM. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Arizona law limits polling places to select groups, including voters who have not cast their ballots, election officials, political party monitors, voter assistants and minors accompanying voters. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistent, borrowed from Anglo-French assistant, assistent, noun derivative of assistant, assistent, adjective, "assisting, helpful," from present participle of assister "to help, aid" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistance Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assistant

• assistant professor
• personal digital assistant
• physician assistant
• physician's assistant
• sales assistant
• teaching assistant

Kids Definition

assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt 

: a person who assists another : helper

assistant adjective