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 Words From

• 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

When police arrived on scene, they found more bones in the area and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office was called to assist in the investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

In the case of Ms Batool and Mr Malik, he said they would have to consider if they played a part by their own acts of violence or by “assisting or encouraging” others.

From BBC

He said his dad, as a longtime executive director of the Bay Area’s Jewish Community Federation, assisted people living in poverty and fleeing persecution.

From Los Angeles Times

The UK's two longest-serving MPs have united to oppose the assisted dying bill, which is due to be debated in Parliament next week.

From BBC

He added: "There may be times when section 10 entities reach conclusions which would assist the wider industry and help to assist both other trusts and commercial organisations."

From BBC

Related Words

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