aid

[ eyd ]

/ eɪd /

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verb (used with object)

to provide support for or relief to; help: to aid the victims of the fire.

to promote the progress or accomplishment of; facilitate.

verb (used without object)

to give help or assistance.

noun

help or support; assistance.

a person or thing that aids or furnishes assistance; helper; auxiliary.

aids, Manège.

Also called natural aids . the means by which a rider communicates with and controls a horse, as the hands, legs, voice, and shifts in weight.
Also called artificial aids . the devices used by a rider to increase control of a horse, as spurs, whip, and martingale.

aide-de-camp.

foreign aid.

a payment made by feudal vassals to their lord on special occasions.

English History. (after 1066) any of several revenues received by a king in the Middle Ages from his vassals and other subjects, limited by the Magna Charta to specified occasions.

OTHER WORDS FOR aid

2 abet, back, foster, advance.

4 succor; relief; subsidy, grant.

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OPPOSITES FOR aid

2 hinder, frustrate.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of aid

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English noun aide, eide, from Anglo-French, Old French aide, derivative of verb aid(i)er, from Latin adjūtāre “to help”; see also adjuvant

synonym study for aid

1. See help.

words often confused with aid

Although the nouns aid and aide both have among their meanings “an assisting person,” the spelling aide is increasingly used for the sense “helper, assistant”: One of the senator's aides is calling. Aide in military use is short for aide-de-camp. It is also the spelling in nurse's aide.

OTHER WORDS FROM aid

aid·er, nounaid·ful, adjectiveaid·less, adjectiveun·aid·ed, adjective

un·aid·ed·ly, adverbun·aid·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH aid

1. aid , aide (see usage note at the current entry)2. aides, aids , AIDS

Words nearby aid

A.I.A., AIAW, A.I.C., AICC, AIChE, aid, Aida, Aidan, aid climbing, aid-de-camp, aide

Other definitions for aid (2 of 3)

AID¹

[ eyd ]

/ eɪd /

noun U.S. Government.

the division of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency that coordinates the various foreign aid programs with U.S. foreign policy: established in 1961.

Origin of AID

A(gency for) I(nternational) D(evelopment)

Other definitions for aid (3 of 3)

AID²

abbreviation

American Institute of Decorators.

American Institute of Interior Designers.

British. artificial insemination donor.Also A.I.D.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aid in a sentence

He mentioned in particular that aid should focus on assistance for small businesses, among other things.
Pelosi abruptly shifts course, restarts relief push amid signs economy is straining|Erica Werner, Rachael Bade|September 24, 2020|Washington Post
Forty percent claim they can’t last another six months without government aid, and it will be an arduous road to recovery for the rest.
This restaurant duo want a zero-carbon food system. Can it happen?|Bobbie Johnson|September 24, 2020|MIT Technology Review
However, that aid has to be distributed at a sustainable pace and I think some of the programs that were thought up for Afghanistan were too ambitious.
When Your Safety Becomes My Danger (Ep. 432)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 24, 2020|Freakonomics
Republican leaders have suggesting trying to pass another PPP as a standalone bill while Democratic leaders believe aid to states is vital to stave off mass public sector layoffs.
Supreme Court fight could derail chances for second stimulus check and extended unemployment benefits|Lance Lambert|September 21, 2020|Fortune

An ingenious invention originally meant to digitize bookkeeping, the software has enabled researchers and businesspeople to input infinite rows and columns of disparate data and then analyze the information with the aid of a computer.
How to make A.I. smarter|jonathanvanian2015|September 21, 2020|Fortune
So working with the militants in order to deliver aid “becomes a requirement,” she said.
ISIS Fight Has a Spy Shortage, Intel Chair Says|Kimberly Dozier|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Think of it as a frequent buyer program for personal karma, or a spiritual band-aid.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma|Brendon Hong|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the Senate, the Democrats passed the budget 56-40 with the generous aid of 24 Republicans.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, smaller developing nations like Cameroon often depend on trade with and aid from the West.
The Straight Hero of Cameroon’s Gays|Jay Michaelson|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Followers had traveled many miles to mourn the loss, and aid in the ritual washing, dressing, and honoring of the body.
Jail Threats for Sierra Leone Ebola Victims’ Families|Abby Haglage|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Groping to the chimney-place with the aid of his matches, Mr. Collingwood found the candle and lit it.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
England gladly seized the opportunity of injuring her enemy and sent aid to the people of Spain.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
But once Austria was disposed of, Prussia and Russia met their punishment for having given her secret or open aid.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
This province, having taken depositions in regard to it, with the aid of the said letter, adjudged Japon accordingly.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Therefore they charge the governor with concealing it; and all that is without the aid of authority to make investigation.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for aid (1 of 3)

aid

/ (eɪd) /

verb

to give support to (someone to do something); help or assist

(tr) to assist financially

noun

assistance; help; support

a person, device, etc, that helps or assistsa teaching aid

Also: artificial aid mountaineering any of various devices such as piton or nut when used as a direct help in the ascent

(in medieval Europe; in England after 1066) a feudal payment made to the king or any lord by his vassals, usually on certain occasions such as the marriage of a daughter or the knighting of an eldest son

in aid of British informal in support of; for the purpose of

Derived forms of aid

aider, noun

Word Origin for aid

C15: via Old French aidier from Latin adjūtāre to help, from juvāre to help

British Dictionary definitions for aid (2 of 3)

Aid

-aid

n combining form

denoting a charitable organization or function that raises money for a causeBand Aid; Ferryaid

British Dictionary definitions for aid (3 of 3)

AID

abbreviation for

acute infectious disease

artificial insemination (by) donor: former name for Donor Insemination (DI)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012