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

Ryan opens it, grabs a Diet Coke and asks one of his assistants to summon a cup of ice. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Conradt had been a district attorney in Texas’s Kaufman County before being appointed chief felony assistant district attorney in Rockwall County. — Samantha Bergeson, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

The drone pilot program also builds on Lowe’s recent technology investments, including Mylow, an AI assistant for customers, and Mylow Companion for store employees. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

The California Community Colleges’ major AI initiatives so far have included professional development opportunities for staff and faculty and a course assistant to help students understand class expectations and assignments. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 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