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

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). —Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Supporters say the wealth tax is needed to backfill federal healthcare cuts and would steer most revenue to medical programs, with additional funding for food assistance and education in high-cost California. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

When power and cell service fail, residents may be unable to contact relatives, request help, or complete disaster-assistance applications. —Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Grantees will additionally receive career-development assistance, including workshops, and will be invited to a retreat hosted by Trellis. —News Desk, Artforum, 18 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