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

The second of the two Manteca men was arrested Tuesday in Manteca with assistance from Modesto Police Department. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The dying star being investigated by ALMA, with assistance from the Very Large Telescope (VLT), is W Hydrae, a red giant or AGB star, located 320 light-years from Earth. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Dec. 2025

According to Reuters, cooperation between the two countries has focused on defense, energy production and financial assistance. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025

The marketplace also provided financial assistance, such as tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, based on users income. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

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