assist

[ uh-sist ]

verb (used with object)

1. to give support or aid to; help:

   Please assist him in moving the furniture.

   Synonyms: promote, back, befriend, abet, sustain

   Antonyms: frustrate, hinder

2. to be associated with as an assistant or helper.

verb (used without object)

1. to give aid or help.
2. to be present, as at a meeting or ceremony.

noun

1. Sports.
   1. Baseball. a play that helps to put out a batter or base runner.
   2. Basketball, Ice Hockey. a play that helps a teammate in gaining a goal.
   3. the official credit scored for such plays.
2. a helpful act:

   She finished her homework without an assist from her father.

3. Machinery. an electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical means of increasing power, efficiency, or ease of use:

   a luxury automobile equipped with assists for brakes, steering, windows, and seat adjustment.

assist

/ əˈsɪst /

verb

1. to give help or support to (a person, cause, etc); aid
2. to work or act as an assistant or subordinate to (another)
3. ice hockey to help (a team-mate) to score, as by passing the puck
4. archaic.
   intrfoll byat to be present; attend

noun

1. the act of helping; aid; assistance
2. baseball the act of a player who throws or deflects a batted ball in such a way that a team is enabled to put out an opponent
3. sport
   1. a pass or other action by a player which enables another player to score a goal
   2. a credit given for such an action

Derived Forms

• asˈsister, noun

Other Word Forms

• as·sister Chiefly Law, as·sistor noun
• as·sistive adjective
• nonas·sister noun
• over·as·sist verb
• reas·sist verb (used with object)
• unas·sisted adjective
• unas·sisting adjective
• well-as·sisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assist¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin assistere “to stand by, help,” from as- as- ( def ) + sistere “to cause to stand, stop,” derivative of stāre “to stand” ( stand ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of assist¹

C15: from French assister to be present, from Latin assistere to stand by, from sistere to cause to stand, from stāre to stand

Synonym Study

See help.

Example Sentences

Elk Grove police assisted Kern County officials and were able to find Naval in his car at a strip mall near his home with the missing child.

From Los Angeles Times

And, over his past five matches, Murphy has netted three goals, four assists and lifted the Carabao Cup.

From BBC

Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General investigated the case and the FAA assisted.

From Los Angeles Times

Harlequins' Packer is the joint-highest try assist holder in this year's tournament alongside Harrison with four, and is too pushing for a regular starting spot.

From BBC

Six people - five charged with murder and one with assisting them - were previously remanded in custody ahead of a trial.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid
• back
• benefit
• boost
• cooperate
• expedite
• facilitate
• reinforce
• support
• sustain
• take care of