foreign aid

American  

noun

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

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foreign aid British  

noun

1. economic and other assistance given by one country to another

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Other Word Forms

• foreign-aid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of foreign aid

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The continued decline of foreign aid spending and sharp funding cuts to global health "have seriously affected delivery of immunisation services. This will likely reverse hard-earned progress," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

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

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

Reform would not send money abroad to fund foreign aid and would shut Welsh government offices in China, he said.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 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

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

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson