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

Along with return airport transfers, VIP airport assistance, 30-minute photo sessions, daily wellness activities, Balinese house visits, private melukat purification ceremonies, and jamu-making classes are all complimentary. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Iran has long supplied the Houthis with weapons and other assistance, though Tehran denies directing their military operations. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

In Louisiana, the state housing agency applied to redirect federal money away from rental assistance and toward the establishment of a 200-bed shelter with strict mandates for participants. — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

To that end, half of advisers reported that the most common form of assistance needed by shoppers is learning how to use a product, while roughly 33 percent said that the most effective demo is to apply the product on the consumer. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 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