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mutual aid

American  

noun

Sociology.
  1. the cooperative as opposed to the competitive factors operating in the development of society.


Etymology

Origin of mutual aid

First recorded in 1530–40

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:

In Minneapolis and other cities, Americans are organizing mutual aid for those groups that are being targeted by the administration.

From Salon Jun. 23, 2026

Minneapolis and St. Paul residents organized protests, mutual aid support networks, ICE-watch groups, know-your-rights training and other resistance efforts on a wide scale during the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 16, 2026

Sheffield Children's Hospital is part of a "mutual aid" scheme in which its pathology consultants help to cover shortages in other parts of England.

From BBC May 29, 2026

"Even today, despite the complexities of borders, population densities and social inequalities, humans continue to migrate for the same fundamental reasons: to find more favorable areas, reunite with loved ones and join mutual aid networks."

From Science Daily Apr. 28, 2026

He had made a pact of mutual aid with two French kings, called Ban and Bon—and these two allies had come from France with about ten thousand men, to lend him aid.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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