assisted; assisting; assists
: to give usually supplementary support or aid to
She assisted the boy with his lessons.
1
: to give support or aid
assisted at the stove
Another surgeon assisted on the operation.
2
: to be present as a spectator
… the ideal figures assisting at Italian holy scenes.—
Mary McCarthy
Mary McCarthy1
US
: an act or action that helps someone : an act of assistance
He wrote the story with an assist from a friend. [=with the help of a friend]
2
: the action (such as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a teammate to make a putout (as in baseball) or score a goal (as in basketball or hockey)
also
: official credit given for such an action
was credited with 5 assists in the first half
3
: a mechanical or electromechanical device that provides assistance
Synonyms
Examples of assist in a Sentence
Verb
The device assists those who can't climb stairs.
The President was assisted by his advisers.
She assisted the boy with his homework.
Another doctor assisted him with the operation.
Another doctor assisted with the operation.
Federal agents are assisting with the investigation.
She assisted in making the decision.
The cream assists in the prevention of skin cancer.
Recent Examples on the WebAlex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2024
While their decision grants permission for up to $6 million in bonds, current plans actually call for issuing a lower figure — $5.7 million, and using money from the city’s open space acquisition fund to assist with the remainder of the expense, Kfoury said.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
One of the people assisting, Ethan Schwartz, was an intern in his sophomore year of high school.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The intern who assisted last summer's student cohort, Ethan Schwartz, may be the youngest person to help resolve an investigative genetic genealogy case, according to the release.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies were at the scene assisting California Highway Patrol officers in the incident, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis EMS, Pike Township EMS, Fishers Fire Department dive team, Wayne Township and IUPUI Police also assisted.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Additional officers responded to the seen to assist.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted.
—Zenebou Sylla, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
The Bulls shot 2 for 16 to close the first quarter, while Herro finished the first with six points, six rebounds and five assists.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Not so fast: Salvy throws out baserunner Marsh got a huge assist from Royals captain Salvador Perez.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Hayes, in his freshman season, averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2024
Spartan fielders did not commit an error and had six assists.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Combined, the 12 players had averages of 24.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season, shooting 39% from 3-point range.
—Tim Reynolds, The Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Prior to the ban, the 24-year-old Porter, the brother of Denver forward Michael Porter, was averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
Leonard is the team’s leading scorer while Harden entered Tuesday fourth in the league in assists at 8.6 per game.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
While on the way to assist the injured deputy, another Ada County Sheriff’s deputy was involved in a two-vehicle crash with a power pole near South Meridian and East Amity roads, according to the release.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2024
While their decision grants permission for up to $6 million in bonds, current plans actually call for issuing a lower figure — $5.7 million, and using money from the city’s open space acquisition fund to assist with the remainder of the expense, Kfoury said.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
One of the people assisting, Ethan Schwartz, was an intern in his sophomore year of high school.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The intern who assisted last summer's student cohort, Ethan Schwartz, may be the youngest person to help resolve an investigative genetic genealogy case, according to the release.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies were at the scene assisting California Highway Patrol officers in the incident, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis EMS, Pike Township EMS, Fishers Fire Department dive team, Wayne Township and IUPUI Police also assisted.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Additional officers responded to the seen to assist.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted.
—Zenebou Sylla, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
As a sophomore, Maye led the team in points per game (13.6) and rebounds (8.4) and was second in assists (2.7), according to MaxPreps.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2024
The Bulls shot 2 for 16 to close the first quarter, while Herro finished the first with six points, six rebounds and five assists.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Not so fast: Salvy throws out baserunner Marsh got a huge assist from Royals captain Salvador Perez.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Hayes, in his freshman season, averaged 10.3 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2024
Spartan fielders did not commit an error and had six assists.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
Combined, the 12 players had averages of 24.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season, shooting 39% from 3-point range.
—Tim Reynolds, The Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Prior to the ban, the 24-year-old Porter, the brother of Denver forward Michael Porter, was averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024
Leonard is the team’s leading scorer while Harden entered Tuesday fourth in the league in assists at 8.6 per game.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near assist
Cite this Entry
“Assist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assist. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
assist
1 of 2 transitive verb
as·sist
ə-ˈsist 
: to give usually supplementary support or aid to
assist the patient up the stairs
assist respiration mechanically
: to give support or aid
assist
2 of 2 noun
: an act or procedure that provides assistance
external pressure circulatory assist employs compression of the lower extremities—P. W. Wright
P. W. WrightLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share