Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense aids, present participle aiding, past tense, past participle aided
1. uncountable noun
Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
...convoys delivering humanitarian aid to besieged or isolated communities. [+ to]
They have already pledged billions of dollars in aid.
...food aid convoys.
Synonyms: financial assistance, help, relief, support More Synonyms of aid
2. verb
To aid a country, organization, or person means to provide them with money, equipment, orservices that they need.
The ministry is working through international associations to aid the refugees. [VERB noun]
...a charitable organization that has spent millions aiding pharmaceutical research. [VERB noun]
-aidedcombining form
...grant-aided factories.
...state-aided schools.
3. verb
To aid someone means to help or assist them.
[written]
...a software system to aid managers in advanced decision-making. [VERB noun]
The hunt for her killer will continue, with police aided by the army and air force. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun to-infinitive]
Synonyms: help, second, support, serve More Synonyms of aid
Aid is also a noun.
He was forced to turn for aid to his former enemy.
4. uncountable noun
If you perform a task with theaidof something, you need or use that thing to perform that task.
He succeeded with the aid of a completely new method he discovered. [+ of]
Gently raise your upper body to a sitting position, without the aid of your hands.
5. countable noun
An aid is an object, device, or technique that makes something easier to do.
The new law gives authorities a responsibility to provide aids to people with disabilities.
The book is an invaluable aid to teachers of literature. [+ to]
Colonel Hardy would like to see every tank with a computerized aid.
6. verb
If something aids a process, it makes it easier or more likely to happen.
The export sector will aid the economic recovery. [VERB noun]
Calcium may aid in the prevention of colon cancer. [VERB + in]
Synonyms: promote, help, further, forward More Synonyms of aid
7. See also Band-Aid, first aid, hearing aid, legal aid
8.
See in aid of
9.
See come/go to someone's aid
More Synonyms of aid
aid in British English
(eɪd)
verb
1.
to give support to (someone to do something); help or assist
2. (transitive)
to assist financially
noun
3.
assistance; help; support
4.
a person, device, etc, that helps or assists
a teaching aid
5. Also: artificial aid mountaineering
any of various devices such as piton or nut when used as a direct help in the ascent
6.
(in medieval Europe; in England after 1066) a feudal payment made to the king or any lord by his vassals, usually on certain occasions such as the marriage of a daughter or the knighting of an eldest son
7. in aid of
Derived forms
aider (ˈaider)
noun
Word origin
C15: via Old French aidier from Latin adjūtāre to help, from juvāre to help
Aid in British English
or -aid
combining form in countable noun
denoting a charitable organization or function that raises money for a cause
Band Aid
Ferryaid
AID in British English
abbreviation for
1.
acute infectious disease
2.
artificial insemination (by) donor: former name for Donor Insemination (DI)
AID in American English
Agency for International Development
aid in American English
(eɪd)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
1.
to give help or relief (to); assist
noun
2.
help or assistance; esp., financial help
3.
a helper; assistant
4.
a helpful device
visual aids
5. alt. sp. of
aide (sense 2)
6. English
a.
a payment in money made by a vassal to his lord
b.
a subsidy granted to the king for a special purpose
SIMILAR WORDS: help
Word origin
ME aiden < OFr aider < L adjutare, freq. of adjuvare, to help < ad-, to + juvare, to help
Examples of 'aid' in a sentence
aid
Our economy depends on it and people must be aided to go about their business.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Three quarters of the population now depend on food aid to survive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Where do you think all the aid money our country gives them comes from?
The Sun (2016)
Getting aid and assistance to remote areas is a huge challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Alongside her was a beaming aid worker.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The firm shut for business last month after it was stopped from claiming legal aid cash.
The Sun (2016)
The club said it called a taxi to avoid waiting for an ambulance and provided first aid on site.
The Sun (2017)
And he called on Brussels to cough up more aid cash to help Egypt cope with the influx.
The Sun (2016)
What will it aid or assist in doing?
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
His father insists that he went to help aid efforts.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He now plans a triathlon in aid of cancer and spinal charities.
The Sun (2013)
Aid trucks and army patrols jammed the streets.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The charity provides aid for tens of thousands of people caught up in the civil war.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Villages built by aid money stand alongside the overgrown ruins of their predecessors.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is hoped it could aid people with serious medical problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Sun (2015)
To bring a claim we needed to apply for legal aid.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a huge demand for advanced training aids and personalised equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The aid agency continues to demand an independent inquiry into the attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Researchers found memory aids like keeping food wrappers helped people reduce their meal sizes.
The Sun (2013)
Those that need aid most are often so badly run that their leaders steal or squander it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But this time it was all in aid of charity.
The Sun (2006)
Yet a combination of diplomacy backed by a willingness to provide direct military aid has a chance of arresting the slide.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Key receivers can provide invaluable aid.
Christianity Today (2000)
She says that finding ways to improve humanitarian aid through raising awareness and building relationships with big business is her key motivation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The country's faltering economy is dependent largely on international reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Remember, "helps "means only that the medicine will aid or assist.
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
Yes, the government, the army and the aid agencies are doing their best.
The Sun (2010)
It is conceivable, of course, that some parents might have figured out that particular cluster of deceptive behaviours without the aid of this book.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
aid
British English: aid /eɪd/ NOUN
Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
...regular flights carrying humanitarian aid.
American English: aid
Arabic: إِعَانَة
Brazilian Portuguese: auxílio
Chinese: 援助
Croatian: pomoć
Czech: pomoc
Danish: hjælp
Dutch: hulp
European Spanish: ayuda
Finnish: apu
French: aide
German: Hilfe
Greek: βοήθεια
Italian: aiuto
Japanese: 援助
Korean: 원조
Norwegian: bistand
Polish: pomoc
European Portuguese: auxílio
Romanian: ajutor
Russian: помощь
Latin American Spanish: ayuda
Swedish: hjälpmedel
Thai: ความช่วยเหลือ
Turkish: yardım
Ukrainian: допомога
Vietnamese: sự viện trợ
Chinese translation of 'aid'
aid
(eɪd)
n
(u) (= support) (to country, people) 援助 (yuánzhù)
(u) (frm, = assistance) 帮(幫)助 (bāngzhù)
(c) (= device) 辅(輔)助 (fǔzhù) (个(個), gè)
⇒ teaching aids教学辅助设备 (jiàoxué fǔzhù shèbèi)
vt
(= support)[country, people]援助 (yuánzhù)
(= help)[person, organization]协(協)助 (xiézhù)
(= facilitate)[process]促进(進) (cùjìn)
with the aid of sb/sth在某人/某物的帮(幫)助下 (zài mǒurén/mǒuwù de bāngzhù xià)
in aid of (esp Brit)[charity]用以援助 (yòng yǐ yuánzhù)
to come/go to sb's aid前来(來)/往援助某人 (qiánlái/wǎng yuánzhù mǒurén)
money, equipment, or services provided for people in need
They have already pledged millions of dollars in aid.
Synonyms
financial assistance
help
relief
support
funds
benefit
gifts
charity
My mum was very proud. She wouldn't accept charity.
contributions
assistance
donations
endowment
largesse
his most recent act of largesse
sustenance
philanthropy
hand-outs
alms
koha (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
money, equipment, or services provided for people in need
He was forced to turn to his former enemy for aid.
Synonyms
help
Thanks very much for your help.
backing
She brought her action with the financial backing of the BBC.
support
They are prepared to resort to violence in support of their views.
benefit
This could now work to his benefit.
favour
She wanted to win the favour of the voters.
relief
famine relief
promotion
dedicated to the promotion of new ideas and research
assistance
He's been operating the shop with the assistance of volunteers.
encouragement
Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.
helping hand
succour
Have you offered comfort and succour to your friend?
Opposites
hindrance
3 (noun)
Definition
a person or device that helps or assists
A young man employed as an aid spoke.
Synonyms
helper
Younger children may need a helper.
supporter
a major supporter of the tax reform plan
assistant
He had been accompanied to the meeting by an assistant.
aide
a close aide to the prime minister
adjutant
aide-de-camp
second
He shouted to his seconds, `I did it!'
abettor
1 (verb)
Definition
to help financially or in other ways
a software system to aid managers in decision-making
Synonyms
help
If you're not willing to help me, I'll find somebody who will.
second
He seconded the motion against fox hunting.
support
He supported the hardworking people.
serve
soldiers who have served their country well
sustain
I am sustained by letters of support.
assist
a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins
relieve
a programme to relieve poor countries
avail
His protests availed him not one jot.
subsidize
abet
We shall strike hard at terrorists and those who abet them.
succour
The money would be used to succour evicted families.
be of service to
lend a hand to
give a leg up to (informal)
Opposites
hurt
,
oppose
,
harm
,
thwart
,
hinder
,
obstruct
,
impede
, detract from
2 (verb)
Calcium may aid the prevention of dental decay.
Synonyms
promote
His country will do everything possible to promote peace.
help
further
Education needn't only be about furthering your career.
forward
He forwarded their cause with courage, skill and humour.
encourage
Their task is to encourage private investment in Russia.
favour
Circumstances favoured them.
facilitate
The new airport will facilitate the development of tourism.
pave the way for
expedite
We will do all we can to expedite the procedure
smooth the path of
assist the progress of
phrase
See in aid of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abet
Definition
to help or encourage in wrongdoing
We shall strike hard at terrorists and those who abet them.
Synonyms
help,
aid,
encourage,
sanction,
sustain,
assist,
uphold,
back,
condone,
second,
incite,
egg on,
succour
in the sense of abettor
Synonyms
helper,
second,
associate,
assistant,
backer,
confederate,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
conniver,
cooperator
in the sense of aide
Definition
an assistant
a close aide to the prime minister
Synonyms
assistant,
supporter,
deputy,
attendant,
helper,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
right-hand man or woman or person,
adjutant,
second,
helpmate,
coadjutor (rare)
Synonyms of 'aid'
aid
Explore 'aid' in the dictionary
All related terms of 'aid'
sex aid
A sex aid is an object or piece of equipment that is designed to make sex easier or better .
aid money
Money is the coins or bank notes that you use to buy things, or the sum that you have in a bank account.
Band-Aid
A Band-Aid is a small piece of sticky tape that you use to cover small cuts or wounds on your body.
deaf aid
a device for assisting the hearing of partially deaf people, typically consisting of a small battery-powered electronic amplifier with microphone and earphone , worn in or behind the ear
first aid
First aid is simple medical treatment given as soon as possible to a person who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill .
food aid
food donated , either by a foreign government or by a charitable organization, to people in need , usually in developing countries
gift aid
a scheme that allows a charity to claim tax exemption on individual charitable donations
home aid
a person who is paid to do domestic chores for persons unable to look after themselves adequately
Kool-Aid
a sweet , fruit-flavoured drink made by adding water to a powder
legal aid
Legal aid is money given by the government or another organization to people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer .
state aid
financial support extended by a state government to a local institution serving the public, as a school or library
urban aid
aid or relief for urban areas
aid agency
an organization that gives money, equipment , or services to people who need them but who cannot provide them for themselves
aid charity
A charity is an organization which raises money in order to help people who are sick or very poor , or who have a disability .
aid effort
An effort is a particular series of activities that is organized by a group of people in order to achieve something.
aid station
a medical station in a forward area where the sick and wounded are given emergency treatment
aid worker
a person who works for an aid agency
foreign aid
economic and other assistance given by one country to another
hearing aid
A hearing aid is a device which people with hearing difficulties wear in their ear to enable them to hear better .
in aid of
An activity or event in aid of a particular cause or charity is intended to raise money for that cause or charity.
mutual aid
the cooperative as opposed to the competitive factors operating in the development of society
visual aid
Visual aids are things that you can look at, such as a film, model, map , or slides, to help you understand something or to remember information.
aid climbing
climbing that employs mechanical devices (aids) to accomplish difficult manoeuvres ( artificial moves)
buoyancy aid
a type of usually foam-filled lifejacket designed for use in sports such as canoeing
slimming aid
food or food supplements that can help you lose weight
teaching aid
any device, object, or machine used by a teacher to clarify or enliven a subject
training aid
a mechanical contrivance used to supplement other forms and methods of training
artificial aid
to give support to (someone to do something); help or assist
grant-in-aid
a sum of money granted by one government to a lower level of government or to a dependency for a programme , etc
Band-Aid baby
a child conceived to strengthen a faltering relationship
first-aid box
a box containing equipment needed to give immediate medical help in an emergency
first-aid kit
a box containing equipment needed to give immediate medical help in an emergency
first-aid post
the place at an event where people can go for medical treatment if they become ill or are injured
grants-in-aid
a sum of money granted by one government to a lower level of government or to a dependency for a programme , etc
first-aid classes
classes which teach people how to give immediate medical help in an emergency
first-aid station
the place at an event where people can go for medical treatment if they become ill or are injured
first-aid worker
someone who is trained to give immediate medical help in an emergency
mutual aid society
A mutual aid society is an organization that provides benefits or other help to its members when they are affected by things such as death, sickness , disability , old age, or unemployment .
drink the Kool-Aid
to accept dogmatic teachings without question
financial aid office
an office at a US university that assesses students ' financial needs and, if appropriate , offers them financial aid
nurse's aide
a nursing assistant , as in a hospital or nursing home, who takes care of the basic needs of patients , including bathing , feeding , and, sometimes, taking temperatures
Voluntary Aid Detachment
(in World War I) an organization of British women volunteers who assisted in military hospitals and ambulance duties
aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is an officer in the armed forces who helps an officer of higher rank.
come/go to someone's aid
If you come or go to someone's aid , you try to help them when they are in danger or difficulty .