foreign aid

American

noun

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

foreign aid British

noun

economic and other assistance given by one country to another

"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

Other Word Forms

foreign-aid

adjective

Etymology

Origin of foreign aid

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

After U.S. foreign aid was cut, countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and other developed nations followed suit.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 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

With Gaza's economy nearly paralyzed, education is expected to rely on foreign aid for the foreseeable future.

From Science Daily • Jan. 11, 2026

We dole out billions of dollars each year in foreign aid.

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023