foreign aid

American  

noun

1. economic, technical, or military aid given by one nation to another for purposes of relief and rehabilitation, for economic stabilization, or for mutual defense.

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foreign aid British  

noun

1. economic and other assistance given by one country to another

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• foreign-aid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of foreign aid

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The situation, however, is also playing out in the wake of a dramatic pullback in public health investments from the U.S. government, especially in areas relevant to foreign aid.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The union said it was "utterly disgusted" by what it described as the government's willingness to compromise Kenya's national biosecurity in exchange for foreign aid.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The symbolic significance of an independent agency for foreign aid is powerful too.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

Taliban officials have vowed to restore security and are courting foreign investors to secure crucial revenue streams as foreign aid funding dries up.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

“The foreign aid people have been evacuated from Aleppo,” Baba says.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell