assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt 

1

: a person who assists someone : helper

also : a person holding an assistantship

2

: a device or product that provides assistance

software assistants

personal digital assistant

see pda entry 1

assistant adjective

Synonyms

• aide
• apprentice
• deputy
• aid
• adjutant
• sidekick

Examples of assistant in a Sentence

an assistant to the college president

an assistant to the store manager

a wealthy executive who has a personal assistant

Recent Examples on the Web

Other key witnesses, Capricorn Clark and Combs' unnamed former assistant? —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Even so, more than 100 people were unsheltered during January 2025, said Alan Howze, assistant county administrator, during a recent board meeting. —Sofi Zeman october 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025

The letter was also signed by a former assistant principal in the district. —Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Its software engineers saw a 20% boost from using AI coding assistant tools, the global head of engineering in the banking and markets division, Melissa Goldman, told Business Insider. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistent, borrowed from Anglo-French assistant, assistent, noun derivative of assistant, assistent, adjective, "assisting, helpful," from present participle of assister "to help, aid" — more at assist entry 1

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assistant

• assistant professor
• personal digital assistant
• physician assistant
• physician's assistant
• sales assistant
• teaching assistant

Rhymes for assistant

• consistent
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• distant

Kids Definition

assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt 

: a person who assists another : helper

assistant adjective