aid

1 of 3

verb

ˈād 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• abet
• assist
• back
• backstop
• help
• prop (up)
• support

Noun

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

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

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff predicted that Pyongyang plans to ship additional forces to aid its Russian ally. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

This transparency aids employees in comprehending the benefits of the new system and proactively addresses any potential concerns by mitigating uncertainty and resistance. —Cory McNeley, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

Crews initiated the working fire protocol, which brought mutual aid from the Bristol and Meriden Fire Departments and station coverage from the Cheshire Fire Department. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024

The challenge isn’t just to use AI but to make generative AI for leaders an aid toward responsible and purposeful guidance in all three dimensions. —Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing aid

• aid/relief convoy
• deaf-aid
• financial aid
• first aid
• first aid kit
• foreign aid
• grant-in-aid
• hearing aid
• in aid of
• legal aid
• state aid
• to one's aid
• visual aid
• what's (all) this/that in aid of?
• without the aid of

Kids Definition

aid

1 of 2 verb

ˈād 

: 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

: assistant

3

: someone or something that is of help or assistance

a visual aid

Medical Definition

aid

1 of 2 noun

ˈād 

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 resisters

—K. 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