subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-sə-dē 

-zə-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift of money: such as

a

: a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament to the crown and raised by special taxation

b

: money granted by one state to another

c

: a grant by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public

Synonyms of subsidy

• grant
• allotment
• appropriation

Examples of subsidy in a Sentence

The city is increasing subsidies for public transit.

government subsidies for farmers in case of crop failure

Recent Examples on the Web

Combined, the public listing premium and the S&P 500 inclusion subsidy—both of which require being a disclosing public company to access—total $290 to $390 billion for ExxonMobil. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Prioritizing rental subsidy improvements in his pending housing plan would be fiscally responsible, while improving thousands of lives almost instantaneously. —Nicole Branca, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026

Adolfo Garcia, a multinational lawyer with Brown Rudnick who had dealings in Cuba, said that in the 2010s, Cuba's economy continued to contract despite oil subsidies from its ally Venezuela. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026

Insurance industry insiders also report that, amid the expiration of subsidies, alternative plans are making a marketing push. —Sarah Kwon, CBS News, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsidium reserve troops, support, assistance, from sub- near + sedēre to sit — more at sub-, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subsidy

• anti-subsidy

Kids Definition

subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-səd-ē 

-zəd-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift especially of money

especially : a grant by a government to a private person or company or to another government to assist an undertaking thought helpful to the public