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

assistant adjective

Synonyms of assistant

• 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

It was put to McCullum that Sussex assistant coach Grant Flower questioned the readiness of Robinson to play in the first Test in a podcast before England selected him. —Paul Newman, New York Times, 29 May 2026

In 2023, a then-medical assistant working for Avid Healthcare Services was charged with smuggling meth into the jail. —Theresa Clift may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Helen Graham Helen Graham is a desk assistant for NBC News. —Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 29 May 2026

This is a positive system that increases assistants for a safer San Jose. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

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