Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of helping or supporting someone: "Assistance" refers to the action of providing help, support, or aid to someone in order to make a task easier or to contribute to an effort.
   • A resource that provides help: "Assistance" can also refer to the help or support itself that is provided, such as a tool, service, or financial aid.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She offered her assistance with the heavy luggage.
  • The government provides financial assistance to students in need.
  • I couldn't have completed the project without your assistance.

Advanced Usage

• "To be of assistance": to be helpful or useful.
  • Can I be of any assistance?
• "To come to someone's assistance": to go to help someone.
  • Several neighbors came to his assistance after the accident.
• "With the assistance of": using the help provided by someone or something.
  • The book was translated with the assistance of a professional linguist.

Variants and Related Words

• Assist (verb): to help.
  • He assisted the elderly woman across the street.
• Assistant (noun): a person who helps, especially in a subordinate role.
  • She works as a teaching assistant.

Synonyms

• Help: the action of helping someone to do something.
• Aid: help, typically of a practical nature.
• Support: bear all or part of the weight; hold up; give assistance to.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Assist in/with: to help with a particular task or activity.
  • He assists in the kitchen on weekends.
  • Could you assist me with this form?

Related Idioms

• A helping hand: assistance or aid.
  • She was always ready to lend a helping hand.
• To give someone a leg up: to help someone to improve their situation.
  • His mentor gave him a leg up in his early career.

Noun

1. a resource
   • visual aids in teaching
2. the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
   • he gave me an assist with the housework
   • could not walk without assistance
   • rescue party went to their aid
   • offered his help in unloading