1 aid | Definition of aid

aid

verb
\ ˈād How to pronounce aid (audio) \
aided; aiding; aids

Definition of aid

 (Entry 1 of 3)

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

aid

noun

Definition of aid (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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
2a 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

Definition of AID (Entry 3 of 3)

1 Agency for International Development
2 artificial insemination by donor

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Other Words from aid

Verb

aider noun

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Garland’s role is small but crucial (about 18 minutes of screen time), as a woman who is called to testify against Nazi atrocities and terrified of aiding the American prosecution’s case against German judges. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "8 essential Judy Garland movies that aren't The Wizard of Oz," 23 Aug. 2019 Sorrentino pled guilty to one count of tax evasion in January 2018, and Marc pled guilty to one count of aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return. Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Jersey Shore Stars Hit D.C. in Hopes of Getting Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino Out of Prison," 22 Aug. 2019 The Democratic electors had concerns about foreign interference in the 2016 election aiding Trump. Justin Wingerter, The Denver Post, "Court finds Colorado electors were wrongly forced to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016," 21 Aug. 2019 Eleanor Sadler, a 19-year veteran of the organization tasked with aiding wild and domestic animals in need in the city. Sarah Feldberg, SFChronicle.com, "@OfficerEdith is the patron saint of San Francisco animals," 16 Aug. 2019 After the charges last year, Carlin ultimately pleaded guilty in late October to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and another count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns. Zach Murdock, courant.com, "Middletown man sentenced to 18 months in prison for distributing meth, helping others file false tax returns," 15 Aug. 2019 This requirement was in addition to the forces needed for aiding civil power. Raghvendra Singh, Quartz India, "What Britain gained by partitioning the subcontinent into India and Pakistan," 9 Aug. 2019 In the late 1980s, American bounty hunters abducted a Mexican physician suspected of aiding in the torture and murder of a US drug enforcement agent. Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Mexico wants to extradite the El Paso gunman," 5 Aug. 2019 Tillman founded the organization in 2005 but changed its focus from education to aiding ailing children after his daughter Tiana’s life-saving heart transplant in 2009. Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 38, Charles Tillman," 30 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Avenger-class ships were called into service during the 2003 invasion of Iraq to stand ready for any mining near an Iraqi port that would be key for getting supplies and humanitarian aid into the country during the war. Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, "Iran Has Hundreds of Naval Mines. U.S. Navy Minesweepers Find Old Dishwashers and Car Parts.," 9 Aug. 2019 Transactions related to the official business of the federal government and humanitarian aid are already exempt. Bianca Britton, CNN, "US sanctions could 'significantly exacerbate' Venezuela's crisis, UN warns," 8 Aug. 2019 America has been careful to state that the new measure does not apply to humanitarian aid or telecoms, which would hurt ordinary Venezuelans. The Economist, "America heaps more sanctions on Venezuela," 8 Aug. 2019 Fire and marine safety officials reported five cases of medical aid during the event, a significant decrease from last year’s period, Handy said. Priscella Vega, Daily Pilot, "102 arrests during Vans U.S. Open of Surfing are 30% increase from last year, H.B. police say," 7 Aug. 2019 The Trump administration last week revealed details of a $16 billion aid package for farmers hit in the U.S.-China trade war, with key provisions meant to avoid large corporations scooping up big payouts at the expense of small farmers. Laura Reiley, chicagotribune.com, "Trump’s $16 billion farm bailout is designed to help farmers hit in the trade war with China. But a report says it will make rich farmers richer.," 31 July 2019 But Lopez, who has had moderate hearing loss in her left ear dating back to early childhood, often didn’t play with a hearing aid. Adam Carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Meet the Trailblazing FBI Agent with Hearing Loss Who Pushed the Bureau to Let Her in — and Excelled," 30 July 2019 For example, the tasting room’s audio/visual system is compatible with most hearing aids and Braille menus are on order. Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "Maverick Whiskey Distillery transformed a historic downtown bank," 30 July 2019 The result was a $4.6 billion aid package for the border. Loyd Brumfield, Dallas News, "Nationwide ICE raids planned for Sunday, New York Times reports," 11 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of aid

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for aid

Verb and Noun

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

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