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aid

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noun British English pronunciation: aid /eɪd/ 
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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 overseas 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

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