assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

: the act of helping or assisting someone or the help supplied : aid

financial and technical assistance

Can I be of any assistance? [=can I help you?]

Synonyms of assistance

• assist
• support
• help
• boost
• aid
• encouragement

Examples of assistance in a Sentence

Any assistance you can give me would be appreciated.

I'll be happy to provide you with whatever assistance you may need.

Recent Examples on the Web

Grapevine police say Jones evaded arrest multiple times before finally being apprehended on April 17 with assistance from the Texas attorney general’s Fugitive Task Force and the Fort Worth Police Department. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

Federal disaster assistance The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, can help provide immediate assistance to find shelter by texting the word SHELTER and the ZIP code to 43362. —Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

The information provided is crucial in identifying whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Many families earn too much for financial assistance and still struggle to cover these costs. —Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistence, assistance, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin assistentia "presence, participation, guidance," going back to Late Latin, "aid," noun derivative of Latin assistent-, assistens, present participle of assistere "to take up a position near, stand by, stand by as a supporter or advocate" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistant Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing assistance

• come to someone's assistance
• directory assistance
• go on public assistance
• of (any) assistance
• public assistance
• writ of assistance

Rhymes for assistance

• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

assistance

noun

as·​sis·​tance ə-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

: the act of assisting

also : the help given