subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-sə-dē 

-zə-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift of money: such as

a

: a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament to the crown and raised by special taxation

b

: money granted by one state to another

c

: a grant by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public

Synonyms

• grant
• allotment
• appropriation

Examples of subsidy in a Sentence

The city is increasing subsidies for public transit.

government subsidies for farmers in case of crop failure

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite years of federal subsidies, solar and wind cannot produce enough baseload energy to meet demand. —Chris Talgo, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

These kinds of choices are all over our lives, where either our social structures, our institutions make the costs invisible or whether, in some cases, there are literal subsidies to industries that artificially decrease the prices of things. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

That month also saw JD.com announce a first round of subsidies worth 10 billion yuan, which went towards a food delivery discount program. —Dylan Butts,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 July 2025

The two jurisdictions already provide almost $37 million annually in subsidies to the hospital. —Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsidium reserve troops, support, assistance, from sub- near + sedēre to sit — more at sub-, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing subsidy

• anti-subsidy

Kids Definition

subsidy

noun

sub·​si·​dy ˈsəb-səd-ē 

-zəd-

plural subsidies

: a grant or gift especially of money

especially : a grant by a government to a private person or company or to another government to assist an undertaking thought helpful to the public