assistance

[uh-sis-tuhns]

noun

1. the act of assisting; help; aid; support.

assistance

/ əˈsɪstəns /

noun

1. help; support

2. the act of assisting

3. informal,  See national assistance

Other Word Forms

• reassistance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assistance¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English assistence, from Medieval Latin assistentia; assist + -ance

Example Sentences

“We were expecting interest rates and mortgage rates to come down, which they did, that would have been some assistance to housing,” Decker said.

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The British embassy said it was providing consular assistance but would not comment further.

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For decades, the farm vote relied on federally funded support programs – crop insurance, price guarantees and disaster assistance – which account for a significant share of net farm income.

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“U.S. foreign assistance to the camps will not remain an indefinite responsibility,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Taiwan's assistance to it has been hands-on: agricultural experts working side by side with locals, medical teams in small clinics, funding for local entrepreneurs, and inviting students to Taiwan on scholarships.

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Related Words

• aid 
• backing 
• benefit 
• compensation 
• cooperation 
• help 
• relief 
• service 
• support