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

Best of The Bee: A former executive assistant at UC Davis accused of embezzlement while working for the campus fire department made her first appearance Tuesday in Yolo Superior Court , via Rosalio Ahumada. —Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025

Egan was a top assistant at Lower Merion under head coach Gregg Downer during Bryant’s junior and senior years, and first met the hoops prodigy on the courts of the local Jewish community center. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

There are a variety of reasons why this is a common occurrence, says Dr. Robert Gee, assistant dean of student affairs and a behavioral sciences professor at Ross University School of Medicine. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Rounding out the cast is Jacqueline B. Arnold as play producer 'Anita;' Nicholas Matos as her assistant, 'Scott;' Bella Coppola as assistant choreographer 'Chloe;' and Caroline Bowman and Casey Garvin as two members of Bombshell's cast: 'Karen' and 'Charlie,' respectively. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

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