aided; aiding; aids
: to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end
aid a cause
aid a friend
: to give assistance
research that aided in the discovery of a new drug
aider
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
1
Agency for International Development
2
artificial insemination by donor
Synonyms
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
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Assad was aided in part by important connections that the axis made with states outside the region: most significantly, Russia came to Assad’s rescue and became an influential global partner for the network.
—Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Border Patrol picks up a group of asylum-seekers from an aid camp at the U.S.-Mexico border near Sasabe, Ariz., on March 13.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aid 
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Verb
Rain, aided by a child felon called Cossy and a motley group of other companions, must escape and search for an artifact called the Oracle of Maracoor, which may hold the answers to saving their world.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Assad was aided in part by important connections that the axis made with states outside the region: most significantly, Russia came to Assad’s rescue and became an influential global partner for the network.
—Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
Related Articles Letters: Harsh punishment | Volunteerism | Protect media | Sustainable fuel | Ukraine aid
The 40 least-populous states, including the District of Columbia, have 270 electoral votes, the number needed to elect a president.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Border Patrol picks up a group of asylum-seekers from an aid camp at the U.S.-Mexico border near Sasabe, Ariz., on March 13.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for aid
Dictionary Entries Near aid
Cite this Entry
“Aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aid. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aid
2 of 2 noun1
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 noun1
: 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 resisters—K. A. Cohen
—often used in the phrase aid and abet
see also abet
K. A. Cohen
: to be of use
aided in the commission of the crime
aider
noun
aid
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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