auxiliary

adjective

aux·il·ia·ry | \ ȯg-ˈzil-yə-rē

, -ˈzil-rē, -ˈzi-lə-

Definition of auxiliary

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : offering or providing help

b : functioning in a subsidiary capacity an auxiliary branch of the state university

2 of a verb : accompanying another verb and typically expressing person, number, mood, or tense In "I will go," the word "will" is an auxiliary verb.

3a : supplementary a telescope with its auxiliary apparatus

b : constituting a reserve an auxiliary power plant an auxiliary police force

4 of a boat : equipped with sails and a supplementary inboard engine an auxiliary sloop

auxiliary

noun

aux·il·ia·ry | \ ȯg-ˈzil-yə-rē

, -ˈzil-rē, -ˈzi-lə-\

plural auxiliaries

Definition of auxiliary (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an auxiliary person, group, or device specifically : a member of a foreign force serving a nation at war

b : a Roman Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right of succession

— called also auxiliary bishop

2 : a sailing boat or ship equipped with a supplementary inboard engine

3 grammar : an auxiliary verb

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about auxiliary

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Synonyms & Antonyms for auxiliary

Synonyms: Adjective

accessorial, accessory, appurtenant, peripheral, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms: Adjective

chief, main, principal

Did You Know?

Adjective

Auxiliary can be used in a wide range of capacities in English to describe a person or thing that assists another. A fire department may bring in auxiliary units, for example, to battle a tough blaze, or a sailboat may be equipped with auxiliary engines to supply propulsion when the wind disappears. In grammar, an auxiliary verb assists another (main) verb to express person, number, mood, or tense, as have in "They have been informed." The Latin source of auxiliary is auxilium, meaning "help."

Examples of auxiliary in a Sentence

Adjective

Travelers have also been griping about a lack of air-conditioning while planes are on the tarmac—even after delays stretch for hours. Airlines blame the problem on a breakdown of a plane's auxiliary power unit. — Darren Everson, Wall Street Journal, 8 Aug. 2007 However, on March 1, 1896, Italian forces underwent a stunning defeat at Adwa, where they fought against the warriors of the Abyssinian emperor, Menelik. Some five thousand Italian troops and two thousand native auxiliary troops had been killed or captured, and the colony had been lost. — Mirella Tenderini et al., The Duke of the Abruzzi, 1997 The rotund 6'1", 235-pound object of their affections hasn't played a day of major league baseball, he dresses in the auxiliary locker room, and he isn't even listed on Boston's 40-man roster. But after a resplendent summer last year at Triple A Pawtucket and a winter of panegyrics from a giddy Boston press, first baseman Maurice Samuel (Mo) Vaughn, 23, has arrived as a "real" rookie who everyone in Red Sox-land hopes is the real thing. — Nicholas Dawidoff, Sports Illustrated, 1 Apr. 1991 a sailboat with an auxiliary engine the auditorium has an auxiliary cooling system used only on particularly sweltering days

Noun

In 1944 Forrestal also began a program of sending black enlisted men to serve in a limited number of fleet auxiliaries. These were still not warships, but they were seagoing vessels and closer to the fighting Navy than the small harbor-defense craft and harbor auxiliaries that had initially been open to black crews. — The Golden Thirteen, 1993 Roman cavalry was poorly developed; they relied on wings, called alae, of horsemen supplied by their auxiliaries. The favorite Roman battle formation was of a triple line of cohorts with alae sweeping the flanks. — Kenneth P. Czech, MHQ : The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Autumn 1992

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Burns had been on the force for two years before previously serving as an auxiliary officer for another two years, police said. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "2 Canadian police officers among 4 dead in shooting; 1 suspect in custody," 11 Aug. 2018 Instead, the chassis line is where the motor control unit, the cooling systems for the control unit, and the low-voltage battery to power the bus' auxiliary systems get put in. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Are diesel’s days numbered? A view from a trip to BYD’s electric bus factory," 14 Aug. 2018 Other features include a slatted wood ceiling, wall panels with cubbies, a deluxe remote operated ceiling fan with rain sensor, Two 12v power outlets, and LED dimming lights that run off of a 100ah auxiliary battery system and 400-watt inverter. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "DIY camper van: 5 affordable conversion kits you can buy now," 1 Aug. 2018 In 2010, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom transferred the management authority over the auxiliary firefighting system from the Fire Department to the SFPUC, given the agency’s expertise with water systems. — Dominic Fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF moves to build water system to fight fires when the worst hits," 11 Feb. 2018 Civilian ships have long served in the Navy, often as auxiliary, second-line ships meant to free up warships for more vital missions. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Should the U.S. Navy Turn Merchant Ships into Floating Missile Magazines?," 10 Jan. 2019 Relied upon for decades to depress growth in the government’s hiring of civil servants, federal contractors have become an auxiliary force that often does much of the same work as rank-and-file government staffers, but with secondhand job security. — Neena Satija, The Seattle Times, "Federal contractors who lost health insurance during shutdown remain in limbo," 28 Jan. 2019 Bishop Salazar, one of six auxiliary bishops of Los Angeles, administered the archdiocese’s southern San Pedro region until 2009, and most recently served as vicar for the office of ethnic ministries. — Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, "U.S. Bishop Resigns Over Old Sex-Abuse Allegations," 19 Dec. 2018 That in itself is no mean feat, and the car's auxiliary power supply will need at least 750bhp to drive the HTP pump. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Bloodhound SSC: How do you build a car capable of 1,000mph?," 24 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary was founded in 1972; proceeds from the event goes to the auxiliary's Nursing Scholarship and Certification program. ******* To reach Sue Strachan, send an email to socialscene@nola.com or call 504.450.5904. — Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, "8 celebrated at 42nd annual Great Lady/Great Gentleman Awards," 5 June 2018 For more information about the fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe page, or the auxiliary's website. — Samantha West, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lots of Milwaukee firehouses lack laundry machines. Here's why that's a problem.," 3 July 2018 Some groups are official police auxiliaries but others are essentially costumed social clubs. — Washington Post, "Cossacks under scrutiny as they prepare to guard World Cup," 8 June 2018 Proceeds from the event will go to the auxiliary's Firefighter Cancer Prevention Initiative. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chili cook-off benefits Milwaukee firefighter cancer prevention initiative," 23 Mar. 2018 Proceeds from the event will go to the auxiliary's Firefighter Cancer Prevention Initiative. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chili cook-off benefits Milwaukee firefighter cancer prevention initiative," 23 Mar. 2018 Proceeds from the event will go to the auxiliary's Firefighter Cancer Prevention Initiative. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chili cook-off benefits Milwaukee firefighter cancer prevention initiative," 23 Mar. 2018 These forces function as auxiliaries to Syrian military power, having participated in both battles and sieges on behalf of Assad and Iran. — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Fortune, "Commentary: How Trump Can Neutralize Assad in Syria," 13 Apr. 2018 On March 27, some 80 members, auxiliaries and guests gathered at the league's clubhouse to sip and sup as the 75th anniversary of the organization's founding in Glendale was celebrated. — Ruth Sowby Rands, latimes.com, "On the Town: Spring is sprung with Garden Party Tea," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'auxiliary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.