assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

: the act of helping or assisting someone or the help supplied : aid

financial and technical assistance

Can I be of any assistance? [=can I help you?]

Synonyms of assistance

• assist
• support
• help
• boost
• aid
• encouragement

Examples of assistance in a Sentence

Any assistance you can give me would be appreciated.

I'll be happy to provide you with whatever assistance you may need.

Recent Examples on the Web

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the families of the victims in separate statements and asked that all possible medical assistance be provided for those wounded. —Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026

Preparing taxes can cost hundreds of dollars, but several programs offer Ohioans free tax assistance. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026

Colorado had proposed limiting soft drinks as part of a package of changes, including allowing food assistance to pay for ready-to-eat hot foods, such as grocery store rotisserie chickens, Colorado SNAP director Teri Chasten said at the Board of Human Services’ meeting Friday morning. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026

Last year Republicans passed legislation to reduce spending on federal health programs and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements on people receiving aid and by shifting certain costs onto the states. —Ali Swenson, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistence, assistance, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin assistentia "presence, participation, guidance," going back to Late Latin, "aid," noun derivative of Latin assistent-, assistens, present participle of assistere "to take up a position near, stand by, stand by as a supporter or advocate" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistant Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing assistance

• come to someone's assistance
• directory assistance
• go on public assistance
• of (any) assistance
• public assistance
• writ of assistance

Rhymes for assistance

• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

: the act of assisting

also : the help given