aid

1 of 3

verb

aided; aiding; aids

transitive verb

: to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end
aid a cause
aid a friend

intransitive verb

: to give assistance
research that aided in the discovery of a new drug
aider noun

aid

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: the act of helping someone
climbers in need of aid
b
: help given : assistance
providing aid and comfort
specifically : tangible means of assistance (such as money or supplies)
government aid
2
a
chiefly US : aide
worked as a teacher's aid
b
: something by which assistance is given : an assisting device
an aid to understanding
a visual aid
see hearing aid
3
: a subsidy granted to the king by the English parliament until the 18th century for an extraordinary purpose
4
: a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

AID

3 of 3

abbreviation

1
Agency for International Development
2
artificial insemination by donor

Examples of aid in a Sentence

Verb They gave money in order to aid the cause. She aided them in their efforts. He jumped into the water to aid the drowning child. a home run that was aided by the wind She aided the government in the attempt to fight illiteracy. Noun The project was completed with the aid of several students. The work was done with the aid of a computer. The government has given millions of dollars in economic aid to these nations. She applied for financial aid in order to go to college. The diagram is provided as an aid to understanding. The computer is an aid to keeping costs down. He teaches art with visual aids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Max Muncy, who had twice struck out earlier in the game with runners in scoring position, drew a leadoff walk that was aided by a Padres pitch-clock violation (San Diego’s staff, stunningly, committed four of them in the game). Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Yerba Buena scored its 11 runs on just two hits, and was aided by 14 walks issued by Grizzlies pitchers. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 The funding aids at-risk families and children, supports the success of students and teachers, and backs services for older adults, people with disabilities and people who have experienced abuse. Alexis Waiss, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024 Our best budget pick, the Gorilla Grips Low Profile Rubber Doormat, is a good inexpensive option that aids in scraping dirt off and absorbing moisture from the bottom of shoes. Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 Though Colt performs a few truly impressive stunts on camera, his riskiest behavior occurs far from Jody’s cameras, aided by blockbuster-quoting stunt coordinator Dan Tucker (Winston Duke) and Tom’s ambitious personal assistant, Alma Milan (Stephanie Hsu). Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 Trudeau has been charged with one count of aiding an offender by being an accomplice after the fact, per FOX9. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 In recent years, federal prosecutors in New York have convicted several major Latin American drug traffickers, as well as some officials accused of aiding them. Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Critics condemned the action as aiding a man of privilege and connections while inflicting further pain on the family of Ariel Young, the young girl who spent 11 days in a coma following the collision. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
Last month, the US Senate approved a supplemental bill which would have unlocked $60 billion of military aid, but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Andrew Carey, Victoria Butenko and Yulia Kesaieva, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Israel has blamed the U.N. for the slow deliveries, but aid groups have said Israel needs to facilitate the entry of more aid by truck into Gaza and ensure its safe delivery and distribution, rather than turning to less efficient workarounds. Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Israeli drone strikes have occurred at or near aid convoys. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 To generate financial support for their campaign, Council members assailed these women and their children as lazy and undeserving of aid and asserted that their removal would represent progress for the white community. TIME, 21 Mar. 2024 Ukraine is open to some U.S. aid in the form of a loan. USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 And Biden in recent weeks has pushed for a halt in the fighting that would allow for the release of hostages and a path for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 Education finance experts have predicted a perfect storm for school districts across the country this year as federal pandemic relief aid dries up and school enrollment declines. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024 However, only 29 percent of those with hearing loss used hearing aids. Judith Graham, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English eyden, from Anglo-French aider, from Latin adjutare, frequentative of adjuvare, from ad- + juvare to help

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of aid was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near aid

Cite this Entry

“Aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aid

1 of 2 verb
: to provide with what is useful or necessary : help, assist
aider noun

aid

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of helping
b
: help given : assistance
2
3
: someone or something that is of help or assistance
a visual aid

Medical Definition

aid

1 of 2 noun
1
: the act of helping or treating
also : the help or treatment given
in need of immediate medical aid
2
: an assisting person or group
a laboratory aid
compare aide
3
: something by which assistance is given : an assisting device
a visual aid
especially : hearing aid

AID

2 of 2 abbreviation
artificial insemination by donor

Legal Definition

aid

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to provide with what is useful in achieving an end
conspiracy to counsel or aid draft resistersK. A. Cohen
often used in the phrase aid and abet
see also abet

intransitive verb

: to be of use
aided in the commission of the crime
aider noun

aid

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of aiding
render aid to the principal
2
: help given
especially : tangible means of assistance (as money or supplies)
aid to the disabled
giving aid and comfort to the enemy

More from Merriam-Webster on aid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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