Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

aid

 - definition
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: aid /eɪd/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularaid
pluralaids
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [uncountable] economics money, food, or other help that an organization or government gives to a country or area where people need it, for example because of a war or flood
    economic/medical aid:

    The UN provided emergency economic aid to the refugees.

    foreign/overseas/international aid:

    She said the government should spend more on foreign aid.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aid
    1. a.
      money that a government gives to a person, group, or organization that it wishes to help

      financial aid for small businesses

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aid
  2. 2
    [uncountable] help with doing something
    enlist/seek the aid of someone (=try to get someone's help):

    The police tried to enlist the aid of the public in solving the crime.

    come/go/hurry/rush to someone's aid (=come to help someone):

    Several people heard her screams, but no one went to her aid.

    with the aid of something:

    Chromosomes can be seen with the aid of a microscope.

    The pupils created the wall painting with the aid of a local artist.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aid
  3. 3
    [countable] something that makes it easier to do something
    aid to:

    Hypnosis can be an aid to giving up smoking.

    teaching/memory/navigation aid:

    Songs can be very useful as memory aids.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aid

This is the American English definition of aid. View British English definition of aid.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for aid.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutron

the part of the nucleus of an atom that has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog