assist

[ uh-sist ]

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.

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

/ 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.
   intrfoll byat to be present; attend

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

Derived Forms

• asˈsister, noun

Other Words From

• as·sister Chiefly Law, as·sistor noun
• as·sistive adjective
• nonas·sister noun
• over·as·sist verb
• reas·sist verb (used with object)
• unas·sisted adjective
• unas·sisting adjective
• well-as·sisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assist¹

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 ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of assist¹

C15: from French assister to be present, from Latin assistere to stand by, from sistere to cause to stand, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See help.

Example Sentences

Over his seven-plus seasons starting, he ranks eighth among all players in potential assists while leading the league in total passes.

From FiveThirtyEight

Hawley's January fundraising got a huge assist from an independent political group, the Senate Conservatives Fund, which told Axios last week that it had already bundled more than $300,000 in contributions for the senator since the Capitol attack.

From Axios

Jakub Vrana, who was moved down to the fourth line, was awarded the primary assist on the play and finished with two assists, responding well to his demotion.

From Washington Post

While the NBA’s reliance on threes has increased each year since the 2011-12 season, it took an assist from the NCAA rules committee for the pros to finally overtake the amateurs.

From FiveThirtyEight

Jokic’s points, rebounds and assists averages haven’t been matched by any player since Oscar Robertson, a 6-5 guard, in 1961-62.

From Washington Post

The FBI has also been searching its records for any information that could assist the French investigation, a spokesperson added.

From The Daily Beast

Not her own—but Landrieu did provide an assist to a man doing a keg stand at Louisiana State University.

From The Daily Beast

Distant cousins of the Bordens are on hand to assist the cast of 20 people, some of whom are very dedicated guests.

From The Daily Beast

Companies across the country donated supplies and equipment to assist him with his expedition.

From The Daily Beast

The social worker will “assist staff and public with counseling and psychosocial support and communications.”

From The Daily Beast

The emperor Nicholas of Russia declared, by ukase, his purpose to assist Austria.

From Project Gutenberg

Still another kind of war credit bank was created on the co-operative plan to assist the middle and lower classes.

From Project Gutenberg

He stood swaying the umbrella-handle about, looking down at it, as if that would assist his decision.

From Project Gutenberg

To assist the amateur and collector in this pursuit is the object of the present little work.

From Project Gutenberg

An English battery came thundering down the road to take up a fresh position and assist in covering the retreat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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