assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce assistant (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 64-year-old has worked behind the scenes in the television industry, including roles as a production assistant and camera operator. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 24 May 2025 The film’s assistant director, David Halls, secured a plea deal with prosecutors, pleading no contest to a misdemeanor count of negligent handling of a gun. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025 Why Now? Unlike chatbots or single-task assistants, AI agents are evolving to operate autonomously within complex environments. Nikit Shah, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia got into a tiff with Grok, the AI assistant and chatbot created by Elon Musk's xAI, after Grok questioned her faith. Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for assistant

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

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

Cite this Entry

“Assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assistant. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

assistant

noun
as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce assistant (audio)
: a person who assists another : helper
assistant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on assistant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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