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

Health care and social assistance accounted for 95 percent of the 130,000 jobs added in January. —Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026

Homeless assistance program, Donation drives, Job assistance programs Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

That type of assistance is paid for with money from the Disaster Relief Fund, which was established by Congress. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026

When e-bikes first expanded into backcountry areas, critics warned motorized assistance would bring underprepared users into fragile environments. —Kendall Hunter, Outside, 14 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