helping

help-ing · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A portion of food served to one person.

  2. 2.

    (as verb, present participle) The act of giving assistance.

Forms

plural: helpings

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    helping hand — assistance or support
  • •
    second helping — an additional portion of food
  • •
    helping verb — (grammar) an auxiliary verb

Related words

See also: help, helper, portion, serving
Synonyms: portion, serving, share

Etymology

From Old English helpan ("to help") + the suffix -ing. Used as a noun meaning "a portion of food" since the 18th century.