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

Physical assistive devices, on the other hand, are harder to detect. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Deafblind kids need specific skills early in life — learning how to use American Sign Language and assistive technology, for example — to prevent language deprivation. —Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 18 Sep. 2025

This ensures both assistive technologies and AI engines can interpret your content’s structure properly. —Ran Ronen, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

On July 8, her team of doctors decided the girl was facing imminent death and so operated to fit her with an artificial heart — an assistive device to help her body pump blood. —Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 14 Sep. 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