aid

aid · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Help or support, especially of a practical nature.

  2. 2.

    A person or thing that helps.

  3. 3.

    Money, food, or equipment provided to countries or people in need.

  4. 4.

    To help or assist someone or something.

Forms

plural: aids

Phrases & expressions

  • first aid — Emergency medical treatment given before professional help arrives.
  • in aid of — For the purpose of helping or supporting.
  • come to someone's aid — To help someone who is in difficulty.
  • hearing aid — A device to help people with hearing loss.
  • aid and abet — To help and encourage someone to commit a crime.

Related words

See also: aide, assist, help
Synonyms: assistance, help, support

Etymology

From Old French aide ("help"), from aidier ("to help"), from Latin adiutare ("to give help to"), frequentative of adiuvare ("to help"), from ad- ("to") + iuvare ("to help").