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 of assistance

• assist
• support
• help
• boost
• aid
• encouragement

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

Police pursuit Though the perpetrators escaped from the mall, police say assistance from the AACO Real Time Information Center helped ground officers locate the suspect's vehicle. —Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

And there’s no assistance once the bike reaches 20 mph. —Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026

They can be picked it up at the ticket counter or wheelchair assistance center. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026

Entry-level versions come equipped with Chery’s Falcon 200 intelligent driving assistance system, while mid-range variants move up to the more capable Falcon 500 setup. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026

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