aid

verb \ ˈād \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of aid

transitive verb

: to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end

aid a cause

aid a friend

intransitive verb

: to give assistance

research that aided in the discovery a new drug

—

aider

noun

See aid defined for English-language learners

See aid defined for kids

Examples of aid in a Sentence

They gave money in order to aid the cause.
She aided them in their efforts.
He jumped into the water to aid the drowning child.
a home run that was aided by the wind
She aided the government in the attempt to fight illiteracy.

Recent Examples of aid from the Web

Was anyone aiding the Russians, conspiring with the Russians?

— time staff, Time, "Read the Full Transcript From James Comey's ABC Interview," 17 Apr. 2018
The volume hinted at the shape of a skirt, but the bifurcation of the pant legs aided cycling.

— christine ro, The Atlantic, "How Cycling Clothing Opened Doors for Women," 15 Apr. 2018
Will Be Better Trained Back on the Nepal side, there has been a concerted effort to provide basic medical training for well over 200 Sherpas who will aid foreign clients this spring.

— alan arnette, Outside Online, "Everest Season Kicks into Gear," 13 Apr. 2018
But while the funding formula requires the state to find and help low-performing school districts, ESSA requires states to identify and aid individual schools.

— joy resmovits, latimes.com, "California education officials finally agree on a plan to meet key federal requirements," 13 Apr. 2018
Before the strikes, the United States had mostly stopped aiding Syria’s rebels, like those who were in Douma, who want to topple Mr. Assad’s government.

— helene cooper, thomas gibbons-neff and ben hubbard, New York Times, "U.S., Britain and France Strike Syria Over Suspected Chemical Weapons Attack," 13 Apr. 2018
Seminole senior Nicole Smith, a Jacksonville University commit, obliterated her previous best for the girls 100 with a wind-aided 11.67 effort that is the fastest in Florida’s 4A class this year.

— buddy collings, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Fast district times on fast track at National Training Center," 12 Apr. 2018
The Connecticut Attorney General called it an online brothel, and a Chicago-area sheriff filed a lawsuit saying Craigslist aided prostitution.

— richard ruelas, azcentral, "How outsourcing to India gave federal prosecutors a window into Backpage operations," 12 Apr. 2018
Sean D’Adamo had two RBIs and Wright aided his own cause with two singles.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Koehn tosses two-hitter in Patterson Mill's baseball win over Bel Air," 12 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of aid

Middle English eyden, from Anglo-French aider, from Latin adjutare, frequentative of adjuvare, from ad- + juvare to help

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

aid Synonyms

Phrases

bear a hand, to stand one in good stead;

aid

noun

Definition of aid

1 a : the act of helping someone

climbers in need of aid

b : help given : assistance

providing aid and comfort

; specifically : tangible means of assistance (such as money or supplies)

government aid

2 a chiefly US : aide

worked as a teacher's aid

b : something by which assistance is given : an assisting device

an aid to understanding

a visual aid

— see hearing aid

3 : a subsidy granted to the king by the English parliament until the 18th century for an extraordinary purpose

4 : a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

See aid defined for English-language learners

Examples of aid in a Sentence

The project was completed with the aid of several students.
The work was done with the aid of a computer.
The government has given millions of dollars in economic aid to these nations.
She applied for financial aid in order to go to college.
The diagram is provided as an aid to understanding.
The computer is an aid to keeping costs down.
He teaches art with visual aids.

Recent Examples of aid from the Web

For most students, accepting a college’s offer boils down to how much financial aid a school offers them.

— laura krantz, BostonGlobe.com, "For small, private colleges, fewer students means more worries," 31 Mar. 2018
Even lawmakers who opposed the bill blasted Saudi Arabia for failing to do more to end the war and open access to humanitarian aid.

— chicagotribune.com, "Saudi Arabia faces strong headwind in Congress over Yemen," 27 Mar. 2018
Town officials this winter decided to postpone the vote because continued state cuts to municipal aid have made town leaders cautious about assuming any new debt.

— bill leukhardt, Courant Community, "Southington Library Leaders Leaving This Spring: Retirement," 27 Mar. 2018
The dramatic scene, which included another candidate, state Rep. Prasad Srinivasan, coming to Boughton’s aid be preparing to perform CPR, led to questions about Boughton’s health and ability to withstand the rigors of a gubernatorial campaign.

— russell blair, courant.com, "Mark Boughton To Hold Press Conference With Doctors After Collapse In Avon," 26 Mar. 2018
Unfortunately for Barry, Fuches (Stephen Root), a family friend who Barry says was like an uncle to him, comes to Barry's aid with a new career path - professional hitman.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "Bill Hader shines in 'Barry,' HBO's daringly dark comedy," 23 Mar. 2018
Police at the time said Grigg saw Sefranka was struggling to control the suspect and came to the officer's aid.

— megan cassidy, azcentral, "Phoenix council delays vote on $2M payment to sheriff's posse member shot in 2013," 21 Mar. 2018
President Bashar Assad has decimated the rebellion, thanks to massive military aid from Russia and Iran, but foreign powers have carved out zones of influence across the country.

— Washington Post, "7 years on, Syrians despair over a country in pieces," 15 Mar. 2018
Get our daily newsletter As Mr Lamb’s campaign gained momentum, out-of-state Republican groups came to Mr Saccone’s aid, funnelling as much as $10m into his campaign.

— The Economist, "Wham, bam, thank you Lamb," 15 Mar. 2018