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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.

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

For months, Scott, 55, has been trying to lock in an affordable payment plan on her loans with the help of a legal aid organization.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Defence barristers in Northern Ireland began an indefinite strike last month in a long-running dispute over the level of legal aid fees they receive.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

They claimed that a crisis had developed in the justice system due to the low rates of pay, with younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 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