subsidy

[ suhb-si-dee ]

noun

, plural sub·si·dies.

1. a direct pecuniary aid furnished by a government to a private industrial undertaking, a charity organization, or the like.
2. a sum paid, often in accordance with a treaty, by one government to another to secure some service in return.
3. a grant or contribution of money.
4. money formerly granted by the English Parliament to the crown for special needs.

subsidy

/ ˈsʌbsɪdɪ /

noun

1. a financial aid supplied by a government, as to industry, for reasons of public welfare, the balance of payments, etc
2. English history a financial grant made originally for special purposes by Parliament to the Crown
3. any monetary contribution, grant, or aid

subsidy

1. A grant made by a government to some individual or business in order to maintain an acceptable standard of living or to stimulate economic growth.

Other Words From

• anti·subsi·dy noun plural antisubsidies
• non·subsi·dy noun plural nonsubsidies

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsidy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsidium “auxiliary force, reserve, help,” equivalent to sub- sub- + sid-, combining form of sedēre “to sit” ( sit ¹ ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsidy¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman subsidie, from Latin subsidium assistance, from subsidēre to remain, from sub- down + sedēre to sit

Synonym Study

Subsidy, subvention are both grants of money, especially governmental, to aid private undertakings. A subsidy is usually given to promote commercial enterprise: a subsidy to manufacturers during a war. A subvention is usually a grant to stimulate enterprises connected with science and the arts: a subvention to a research chemist by a major company.

Example Sentences

Some of these choice programs rely at least in part for funding on donations offset by tax credits or philanthropy rather than a direct state subsidy.

From Los Angeles Times

As of last week, official data showed 1.57 million applications had been submitted for a national subsidy of $2,800 per each older vehicle traded in for a greener one.

From BBC

Other models are available that enable nonprofits and others to renovate properties and keep them affordable, but their expansion is hampered by lack of public subsidy and other issues.

From Los Angeles Times

The law also expands eligibility for “extra help” subsidies for about 17 million low-income people in Medicare drug plans and increases the amount of the subsidy.

From Los Angeles Times

If funded, the proposal would lead to construction or subsidy of nearly 60,000 units of homeless housing, including 19,500 in new supportive housing developments, 12,500 through a rental assistance program and 9,200 beds in facilities providing higher levels of care for elderly and severely mentally ill residents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid
• allowance
• appropriation
• assistance
• bonus
• contribution
• endowment
• financial aid
• gift
• grant
• payment
• pension
• premium
• scholarship
• support