assistive

adjective

as·​sis·​tive ə-ˈsi-stiv 

: providing aid or assistance

specifically : designed or intended to assist disabled persons

assistive technology

Examples of assistive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Service animals are also welcome, and assistive listening devices for meetings are available upon request. —Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

After 18 years working as an assistive mobility technology repairman, Tim Kiley grew sick of watching people wait for weeks or months to have their wheelchairs repaired. —Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 30 Dec. 2025

What this story says about resilience and design Jamie's comeback highlights a larger truth about modern assistive technology. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025

This concept dictates that AI serves primarily in an assistive capacity, ensuring that a human remains in the loop for critical decisions like final underwriting, where judgment and empathy are irreplaceable. —Geoff Green, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

assist entry 1 + -ive

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

assistive

adjective

as·​sist·​ive ə-ˈsis-tiv 

: providing aid or assistance

specifically : designed or intended to assist a disabled person in performing an activity, task, or function especially in an independent manner

assistive technology

Assistive devices help with the performance of daily activities. Most familiar are canes, crutches, and walkers. Other examples of simple assistive devices are raised toilet seats and firm pillows placed under the seats of chairs to help people with hip or knee arthritis to rise from a sitting position.

—Simeon Margolis, The Johns Hopkins White Pages

With some assistive devices, the visually impaired can do a variety of office jobs, using computers and telephones.

—Eric Aasen, The Dallas Morning News

Assistive technology (AT) by its very nature consists of a variety of personal and customized tools for multiple learning styles and physical challenges.

—Kelly Ahrens, Learning & Leading with Technology