aid

verb \ ˈād \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: aid in a Sentence

Definition of aid

aided; aiding; aids

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

LeBron James’s heroic performance in 2015 contributed to splitting the vote, which aided the ultimate winner Andre Iguodala.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "For the Third Time in Three Titles, Stephen Curry’s Greatness Goes Unrecognized," 9 June 2018
Plus, Trump's administration hasn't exactly been clear about which of their policies or practices are aiding in this decline.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "The Black Unemployment Rate Just Hit A Record Low," 3 June 2018
And then aid them as a network of graduates of that program to then get jobs, get their union cards, move into the industry, et cetera.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full video and transcript: 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch at Code 2018," 30 May 2018
Slusarczyk credited her mental attitude to aiding her in the final 100 meters of the 300 on Saturday.

— bob narang, chicagotribune.com, "Girls track notes: Lyons relay teams place at state," 21 May 2018
Nelson helped get Frazier a mechanical wheelchair, donated through the Teddy and Joan Pendergrass Foundation, which aids people with injured spinal cords.

— helen ubiñas, Philly.com, "He protected 3 kids from getting shot. Now paralyzed, a young dad struggles | Helen Ubiñas," 18 May 2018
Efforts to aid him with lifeboats, three of which were ineffectually trying to breast the heavy sea, were unavailing, while a lifeline, held by a number of rescuers, was carried far out into the surf by a number of swimmers.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 6, 1918: 13 drown at Ocean Beach," 6 May 2018
Tax-law changes passed by Congress late last year are intended to stoke stronger business investment, which should aid worker productivity.

— eric morath, WSJ, "U.S. Workers’ Productivity Edged Up in First Quarter," 3 May 2018
In addition, the MACC provided local support and access to local resources which aided the Sandy Springs Police Department in the execution of multiple search warrants and the arrest of the offender.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "DNA ties former Alabama prison guard to sexual assaults in 3 states," 17 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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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.