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

Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel recovered the girl with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 11 June 2026

In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

This expansion helps workers gain new skills, such as becoming a certified nursing assistant or welder, through federal assistance for training programs lasting 8 to 15 weeks. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 June 2026

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program provides food assistance to those in very-low-income households which are those earning less than 130 percent of the poverty guideline. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 June 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