assist

American  

[uh-sist] / əˈsɪst /

verb (used with object)

1. to give support or aid to; help.

   Please assist him in moving the furniture.

   Synonyms:

   promote, back, befriend, abet, sustain

   Antonyms:

   frustrate, hinder

2. to be associated with as an assistant or helper.

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verb (used without object)

1. to give aid or help.

2. to be present, as at a meeting or ceremony.

noun

1. Sports.

   1. Baseball. a play that helps to put out a batter or base runner.

   2. Basketball, Ice Hockey. a play that helps a teammate in gaining a goal.

   3. the official credit scored for such plays.

2. a helpful act.

   She finished her homework without an assist from her father.

3. Machinery. an electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical means of increasing power, efficiency, or ease of use.

   a luxury automobile equipped with assists for brakes, steering, windows, and seat adjustment.

assist British  

/ əˈsɪst /

verb

1. to give help or support to (a person, cause, etc); aid

2. to work or act as an assistant or subordinate to (another)

3. ice hockey to help (a team-mate) to score, as by passing the puck

4. archaic to be present; attend

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noun

1. the act of helping; aid; assistance

2. baseball the act of a player who throws or deflects a batted ball in such a way that a team is enabled to put out an opponent

3. sport

   1. a pass or other action by a player which enables another player to score a goal

   2. a credit given for such an action

Related Words

See help.

Other Word Forms

• assister noun
• assistive adjective
• nonassister noun
• overassist verb
• reassist verb (used with object)
• unassisted adjective
• unassisting adjective
• well-assisted adjective

Etymology

Origin of assist

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin assistere “to stand by, help,” from as- as- ( def. ) + sistere “to cause to stand, stop,” derivative of stāre “to stand” ( stand ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Strome, 32, had three goals and six assists in 33 games with the Ducks this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Americans who called it heard an automated message telling them: “Please do not rely on the U.S. government for assisted departure or evacuation at this time.”

From The Wall Street Journal

We’re also supposed to practice almsgiving and assist those less fortunate than ourselves as a way of honoring Christ, who pointed out that giving so it costs you is the only way to give.

From Los Angeles Times

Wai denies charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and foreign interference, and a charge of misconduct in public office while conducting searches of Home Office databases.

From BBC

He said the participants were out on the streets "helping people who need help" citing a man who was assisted getting medical treatment after a fall.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid
• back
• benefit
• boost
• cooperate
• expedite
• facilitate
• reinforce
• support
• sustain
• take care of