helping

noun

help·​ing ˈhel-piŋ How to pronounce helping (audio)
Synonyms of helpingnext
1
: a portion of food : serving
2
: dose sense 3
… large helpings of reportage and interviews.Stefan Kanfer

Examples of helping in a Sentence

He had two helpings of carrots. Can I give you a second helping?
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.
And while some might not be in your weekly rotation—like the Candied Ham Loaf from our first issue in 1966—a generous helping of them has stood the test of time. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026 With each having their own motives to capture the killer, double-crosses and cat-and-mouse games ensue, along with a heaping helping of police versus criminals and gang versus gang action. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026 Jambalaya with a helping of vibe makes for an interesting catching concoction. Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Feb. 2026 The Serving Spoon is famed for its generous helpings of golden catfish, salmon croquettes and daily specials like oxtails on Wednesdays and shrimp and grits on the weekends. Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helping

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of helping was in 1866

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Helping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helping. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

helping

noun
help·​ing ˈhel-piŋ How to pronounce helping (audio)
: a portion of food : serving

More from Merriam-Webster on helping

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster