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assistant

noun
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as·​sis·​tant | \ ə-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce assistant (audio) \

Definition of assistant

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
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Other Words from assistant

assistant adjective

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
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Recent Examples on the Web Gibson is a medical assistant at the clinic, according to the site. — Katy Read, Star Tribune, "Fifth victim identified in Buffalo clinic shootings as medical assistant, mom of 3," 13 Feb. 2021 Smith was drafted ninth overall by the Mavericks in 2017, and Casey was an assistant under Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle from 2008-11. — Omari Sankofa Ii, Detroit Free Press, "Here's what Detroit Pistons are looking for from new point guard Dennis Smith Jr.," 11 Feb. 2021 Hill was an assistant for Kruger with the Sooners from 2011-16 after seven seasons with Kruger at UNLV (2004-11). — Chron, "Rio Grande Valley basketball coach Lew Hill dies day after game," 8 Feb. 2021 McCormick was an administrative assistant for Dignity Memorial New Orleans. — NOLA.com, "New Orleans, Baton Rouge area People in Business for Feb. 7, 2021," 7 Feb. 2021 Stoudemire is a player development assistant in his first season with the club. — Marc Stein, New York Times, "Anthony Davis Is the Teammate LeBron James Has Been Waiting For," 3 Feb. 2021 Coach Nate Bjorkgren was an assistant on Toronto's staff until he was hired before this season in Indiana. — J. Michael, The Indianapolis Star, "Pacers wilt under pressure from short-handed Raptors," 24 Jan. 2021 Ryan Harrell is now an assistant on Griffin’s staff and is in charge of player development along with Kristian Dodson. — Nathaniel Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, "Brimming with young talent, Cathedral boys’ basketball building for the future," 21 Jan. 2021 Staley has been an NFL assistant for only four years. — Chronicle News Services, SFChronicle.com, "Chargers hire Brandon Staley of Rams as head coach," 17 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assistant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of assistant

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for assistant

see assist entry 1

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Time Traveler for assistant

Time Traveler

The first known use of assistant was in the 15th century

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Statistics for assistant

Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assistant. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for assistant

assistant

noun
How to pronounce assistant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of assistant

: a person who helps someone especially : a person whose job is to help another person to do work
: a person whose job is to help the customers in a store

See the full definition for assistant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

assistant

adjective
as·​sis·​tant | \ ə-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce assistant (audio) \

Kids Definition of assistant

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: acting as a helper to another an assistant manager

assistant

noun

Kids Definition of assistant (Entry 2 of 2)

: a person who assists another

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More from Merriam-Webster on assistant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for assistant

Nglish: Translation of assistant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assistant for Arabic Speakers

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