assistant

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rainn Wilson, who portrayed the iconic assistant (to the) regional manager on the series, posted a photo alongside his former costar while holding an Ashland Avenue playbill in September. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025 This former assistant will now be the lord of the manor, the guy with millions in the bank, the owner of the dope-watch collection. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 Separately in June Verizon announced an upgrade that included providing customers with access to a Customer Champion and AI assistant, capable of providing updates via app, text or phone call. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Former Brooklyn Nets assistant Will Weaver, who has G League and international head coaching experience, interviewed for the Liberty opening. Ben Pickman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for assistant

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

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

Cite this Entry

“Assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assistant. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

assistant

noun
as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce assistant (audio)
: a person who assists another : helper
assistant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on assistant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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