subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-sə-dē 

-zə-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift of money: such as

a

: a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament to the crown and raised by special taxation

b

: money granted by one state to another

c

: a grant by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public

Synonyms

• allocation
• allotment
• annuity
• appropriation
• entitlement
• grant
• subvention

Examples of subsidy in a Sentence

The city is increasing subsidies for public transit.

government subsidies for farmers in case of crop failure

Recent Examples on the Web

As penny-pinching became even more vital coming out of the strikes, productions are increasingly opting to shoot in regions with more generous subsidies for Hollywood. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025

In Europe, the company is facing a European Union investigation into whether China provided unfair subsidies to a BYD plant in Hungary, according to a Financial Times report. —Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Satellite broadband proponents note that the industry is rapidly adding capacity as more satellites come online, and government subsidies typically help fiber providers keep their consumer prices low — something satellite internet doesn’t yet benefit from. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025

Governments around the world have also raised concerns about China’s extensive exports, including in electric vehicles and green technologies, saying government subsidies are putting these firms at an unfair advantage against domestic manufacturing. —Simone McCarthy, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsidium reserve troops, support, assistance, from sub- near + sedēre to sit — more at sub-, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subsidy

• anti-subsidy

Kids Definition

subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-səd-ē 

-zəd-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift especially of money

especially : a grant by a government to a private person or company or to another government to assist an undertaking thought helpful to the public