legal aid

American

noun

free legal service to persons unable to pay for a lawyer.

legal aid British

noun

a means-tested benefit in the form of financial assistance for persons to meet the cost of advice and representation in legal proceedings

"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

Etymology

Origin of legal aid

First recorded in 1885–90

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.

Many people seeking redress for alleged unfair dismissal go to court as "litigants in person" because they cannot get legal aid to pay for a professional lawyer.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Foundation, which provides meals and reading resources to students in Oakland, Calif. Glide provides meals, healthcare and legal aid to homeless and other vulnerable individuals in San Francisco.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

A family have said they are at "breaking point" over the potential postponement of a court case caught up in the ongoing barristers' dispute involving legal aid fees.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Scott has been working with a legal aid organization to take those steps.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Barack activated his network of community organizers to connect us with legal aid, advocacy, and teaching opportunities.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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