lend-lease

lend–lease

noun \ˈlend-ˈlēs\

Definition of LEND-LEASE

: the transfer of goods and services to an ally to aid in a common cause with payment made by a return of the original items or their use in the cause or by a similar transfer of other goods and services

— lend–lease transitive verb

Origin of LEND-LEASE

United States Lend-Lease Act (1941)

First Known Use: 1941

lend-lease

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

System promulgated by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt to give aid to U.S. allies in World War II. Faced with Britain's inability to pay cash for war materials and food, as required by U.S. law, Roosevelt asked Congress to allow repayment “in kind or property” from countries vital to U.S. defense. The Lend-Lease Act was passed in March 1941, despite arguments that it led the U.S. closer to war. Much of the $49 billion in aid went to British Commonwealth countries; the Soviet Union, China, and 40 other countries also received assistance. U.S. troops stationed abroad received about $8 billion in aid from the Allies.