lend-lease
Americannoun
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the matériel and services supplied by the United States to its allies during World War II under an act of Congress Lend-Lease Act passed in 1941: such aid was to be repaid in kind after the war.
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the two-way transfer of ideas, styles, etc.
verb (used with object)
noun
Etymology
Origin of lend-lease
First recorded in 1935–40
Explanation
Before the United States engaged in World War II, the government used a program called lend-lease to provide military and food aid to the Allies. Under lend-lease, the U.S. sent ammunition, tanks, and other supplies overseas. A lend-lease program involves lending goods with the understanding that they will be used to benefit the donor in some way (or sometimes, that they will eventually be returned). In World War II's lend-lease program, the U.S. gave supplies and material to several Allied nations, and in return those countries defended America from the Axis forces. It was also an indirect way for the U.S. to involve itself in the war before fully committing to fighting with the Allies.
Vocabulary lists containing lend-lease
World War II
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American History - Middle School
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American History - High School
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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.
See Examples For:
Shmyhal also said the Ukrainian government had approved a request to the U.S. government for a "gas lend-lease" arrangement to help Ukraine through what he said would be the toughest heating season in its history.
From Reuters ● Jul. 26, 2022
Launched during World War II, lend-lease signaled the U.S. would become what Franklin D. Roosevelt called the “arsenal of democracy” helping Britain and the allies fight Nazi Germany.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2022
The bill, which revamps FDR’s lend-lease program, passed 417-10 in the House and now proceeds to President Biden’s desk for signature.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 28, 2022
The lend-lease concept does not appear to be used or even discussed in the Ukrainian conflict.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2022
We have taken steps to dispose of the goods which on VJ-day were in the lend-lease pipe line to the various lend-lease countries and to allow them long-term credit for the purpose where necessary.
From State of the Union Address by Truman, Harry S.
Before long more than 40,000 tons of silver, which cost the U.S. about $675,000,000, will be lend-leased to war plants for the duration.*
From Time Magazine Archive
And many a corporation had warned its lend-leased talent: come on back or stay away for good.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ltd. as a quid pro quo for lend-leased U.S. oil, but had backed down before Teheran.
From Time Magazine Archive
The U.S. lend-leased a symphony conductor to the Commonwealth of Australia this week.
From Time Magazine Archive
Selznick lend-leased Hitchcock to-20th Century-Fox to make Lifeboat for $200,000.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
