assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

: the act of helping or assisting someone or the help supplied : aid

financial and technical assistance

Can I be of any assistance? [=can I help you?]

Synonyms

• abetment
• aid
• assist
• backing
• boost
• hand
• help
• helping hand
• leg up
• lift
• support

Examples of assistance in a Sentence

Any assistance you can give me would be appreciated.

I'll be happy to provide you with whatever assistance you may need.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, urgent cases are being referred for emergency cash assistance. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Kennealy was the head of the former Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the agency that oversaw emergency shelter assistance shelters set up under the state’s right-to-shelter law. —Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025

Little signed a bill in April that banned soda and candy from the government’s food assistance program. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025

Existing government programs, such as Social Security, unemployment and supplemental nutrition assistance for women, infants and children, determine eligibility for those benefits based on an individual’s income. —Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistence, assistance, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin assistentia "presence, participation, guidance," going back to Late Latin, "aid," noun derivative of Latin assistent-, assistens, present participle of assistere "to take up a position near, stand by, stand by as a supporter or advocate" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistant Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing assistance

• come to someone's assistance
• directory assistance
• go on public assistance
• of (any) assistance
• public assistance
• writ of assistance

Rhymes for assistance

• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

: the act of assisting

also : the help given