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 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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Synonyms & Antonyms for aid

Synonyms: Verb

abet, assist, back, backstop, help, prop (up), support

Synonyms: Noun

abetment, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms: Verb

hinder

Antonyms: Noun

hindrance

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

That money has been used to help train police, prosecutors and judges, fund improvements of prisons and jails and aid an ongoing overhaul of the criminal justice system. — Kate Linthicum, latimes.com, "Rocky under Trump, U.S.-Mexico relations will be tested under new president Lopez Obrador," 3 July 2018 Ken Isaacs, the American nominee, has experience with aiding humanitarian crises through his role as vice president of the evangelical Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse. — Renae Reints, Fortune, "UN Migration Agency Rejects Trump Nominee for Director-General," 29 June 2018 Since then, Lang Lang has achieved global popularity and, back home in China, has been credited with inspiring millions of kids to take up Western classical piano — aided by the formation of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. — David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Lang Lang's recovery: Will he ever play in Philly again?," 12 July 2018 Her father’s close friend was the editor of an important Viennese newspaper, and Ms. Faber says that Kallmus’s transition from photographing Jewish professors to shooting publicity-hungry Catholic duchesses may have been aided by the relationship. — J.s. Marcus, WSJ, "Faces of Old Vienna," 12 July 2018 Franklin Park crews were aided by responders from neighboring communities in preventing the fire from spreading – a job which took on complications because of the fog caused by the thawing ice at the facility, Brehm said. — Staff Report, chicagotribune.com, "Fireworks are suspected cause of fire that temporarily closed Franklin Park ice arena," 5 July 2018 White Sox starter Carlos Rodon allowed five hits and walked six through six innings but was aided by two double plays behind him and the Astros' inability to deliver with runners in scoring position. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Yuli Gurriel's walkoff single sends Astros past White Sox," 5 July 2018 No doubt a certain pall hangs over the film, perhaps inevitable with the subject, and aided by the cathartic candor of most interviewees. — Graham Ambrose, BostonGlobe.com, "Darkness and light in Whitney Houston documentary," 4 July 2018 The local American Legion sponsors the Boy's State program for Windsor Locks and is financially aided by civic organizations and businesses of the community whose continued support makes this program available to local students. — Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Locks Edition," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But then Venezuela cut its aid, and the government’s fiscal problems were exacerbated by corruption. — The Economist, "Daniel Ortega is causing a bloodbath in Nicaragua," 12 July 2018 The brigades are regrouping amid political talks aimed at averting what aid groups warn would be a catastrophe if food and medical supplies can’t move through the port. — Asa Fitch, WSJ, "With Much at Stake in Yemen Port, Coalition Puts Advance on Hold," 8 July 2018 The others who had been feeding the shark quickly rush to her aid before the video ends. — Scott Berson, miamiherald, "She was feeding a shark by hand. Then it bit her finger and pulled.," 2 July 2018 Well, a natural limestone sinkhole that is part of Montezuma Castle National Monument, before a passerby came to her aid. — Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Accused of Killing Her Boyfriend — Then Faking Her Own Kidnapping as Cover-Up," 25 June 2018 The good news is, Billy Gerard Pettice survived what KHOU reported was about a 40-foot fall after a boater in the West Bay came to his aid. — Matthew Martinez, star-telegram, "He fell 40 feet from a bridge taking a selfie. Then Texas cops found the warrant," 20 June 2018 China is a close ally of Cambodia, and has invested billions in infrastructure, development, military support and aid. — Abby Seiff / Phnom Penh, Time, "Chinese State-Linked Hackers in Large Scale Operation to Monitor Cambodia's Upcoming Elections, Report Says," 11 July 2018 Senior Israeli defense officials told Israel Hayom that any humanitarian aid to Gaza is conditioned on the return of the Israelis being held there. — Jewish Journal, "Palestinian Authority outraged as White House says it will push regional peace plan," 10 July 2018 Once promoted as an aid to quit smoking, vaping has become trendy. — The Economist, "Business this week," 12 July 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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Dictionary Entries near aid

Phrases Related to aid

what's (all) this/that in aid of?

without the aid of

Statistics for aid

Last Updated

3 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for aid

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