aid

verb

\ ˈād

aided; aiding; aids

Definition of aid

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 of a new drug

aid

noun

Definition of aid (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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

2a 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

AID

abbreviation

Definition of AID (Entry 3 of 3)

1 Agency for International Development

2 artificial insemination by donor

Other Words from aid Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about aid

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Examples of aid in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web: Verb

Last but not least, Meghan assumes the role of royal patron of Smart Works, an incredible organization aiding unemployed and vulnerable women to get back into the workplace. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Receives Four New Royal Patronages from Queen Elizabeth," 10 Jan. 2019 Vibrating devices are also said to be particularly effective in aiding product absorption. — Sarah Wu, Glamour, "Exactly How to Use the Gua Sha and Jade Roller Tools Instagram Users Are Obsessed With," 4 Jan. 2019 In May, the China National Space Administration launched a satellite called Queqiao, specifically for the purpose of aiding with communications for the upcoming Chang’e-4 mission. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "This weekend, China embarks on a historic mission to land on the far side of the Moon," 6 Dec. 2018 At a symposium held at the University of Illinois at Chicago in April, the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, thanked Chicago for aiding the island. — Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, "After viral video, a refresher course: 5 things to know about Puerto Rico," 10 July 2018 In addition to recommending a diet that’s low in sugar, high in protein, and completely devoid of dairy, Peacock has also formulated a line of nutritional supplements targeting everything from immunity to sleep to best aid her clients. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "All the Ways Meghan Markle Has Transformed Prince Harry’s Bad Boy Health Habits," 4 Jan. 2019 Tokyo will follow up on Feb. 1 by implementing the European Union-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement offering similar breaks for the 28-country bloc’s agricultural products, aiding American rivals in France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. — Jacob M. Schlesinger, WSJ, "U.S. Farmers Fear Lucrative Japanese Exports Will Wither," 25 Dec. 2018 Brinsworth House is supported by the Royal Variety Charity, which aids people who've worked in the entertainment industry and need assistance due to old age, illness, or hard times, according to Kensington Palace. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Wears a Fitted Floral Dress on a Solo Visit to a Nursing Home," 18 Dec. 2018 Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Balmain, and more created everything from coats and pants to boots and dresses from a futuristic metallic fabric that looked as though they had been aided in design by NASA. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Wore a Metallic Top on “Carpool Karaoke”," 16 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Take a second to see if your school offers some assistance and go speak to your financial aid office. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "How To Transfer Colleges When You Think You Want To Switch Schools," 27 Dec. 2018 The percentage of low-income students has increased from about 15 percent to nearly 25 percent, according to the study, as many of those schools offer more financial aid for those students. — Eric Stirgus, ajc, "Study: More middle-income students squeezed from top colleges," 12 July 2018 Hernandez has controlled costs as an out-of-state student through scholarships and other financial aid. — Rachel Leingang, azcentral, "Arizona universities got a boost in admissions from California in the past decade," 12 July 2018 Pyongyang has often had its own complaints about Washington over slow delivery of aid and imposition of sanctions. — Washington Post, "Experts see risks in US plan to dismantle NKorea’s nukes," 3 July 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent the evening attending a carol service in support of the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, which provides aid for children’s education in Uganda. — Kayleigh Roberts, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Is Why Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Skipped the Queen's Diplomatic Reception," 4 Dec. 2018 Some cars already come equipped with a small first-aid kit, says Lisa Robinson, a senior program manager for the National Safety Council. — Brigitt Earley, Woman's Day, "6 Ways to Stay Safe on Your Next Family Road Trip," 29 Nov. 2018 Launched in September by the Amazon CEO and his wife MacKenzie, the fund’s dual mission is to provide aid for the homeless and to fund a network of nonprofit preschools. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Black Friday shoppers chose their screens over brick-and-mortar stores," 26 Nov. 2018 Also Wednesday, a United Nations aid agency called on Israel to allow emergency fuel into the Gaza Strip to avert the shutdown of hospitals and sanitation facilities. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Israeli jets strike Gaza terror targets after Hamas launches dozens of rockets," 2 Oct. 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.

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Last Updated

7 Feb 2019

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The first known use of aid was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for aid

aid

verb

\ ˈād

aided; aiding

Kids Definition of aid

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to provide what is useful or necessary : help “… might not your energies have been better directed toward finding and aiding your master?”— J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire

aid

noun

Kids Definition of aid (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act of helping

2 : help given The teacher sought the aid of several students for the project.

3 : someone or something that is of help or assistance The compass is an aid to navigation.

aid

noun

\ ˈād

Medical Definition of aid

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the act of helping or treating also : the help or treatment given in need of immediate medical aid

2 : an assisting person or group a laboratory aid — compare aide

3 : something by which assistance is given : an assisting device a visual aid especially : hearing aid

AID

abbreviation

Medical Definition of AID (Entry 2 of 2)

artificial insemination by donor

aid

transitive verb

Legal Definition of aid

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to provide with what is useful in achieving an end conspiracy to counsel or aid draft resisters— K. A. Cohen —often used in the phrase aid and abet — see also abet

intransitive verb

: to be of use aided in the commission of the crime