subsidy

[ suhb-si-dee ]

noun

plural subsidies.

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 Word Forms

• 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

The significant subsidies that China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea have given to private companies developing chips are a big reason for their success.

From BBC

"I suppose the subsidy enables you to take the risk on the productions that are never going to recoup what they've cost, and often that will be the smaller-scale productions."

From BBC

During Trump’s first term, farmers received billions of dollars in subsidies to help cushion the blow of the tariff-related losses for crops such as soybeans.

From Los Angeles Times

They have also promised to create more social housing and subsidies to help low-to-moderate-income earners own and rent more affordably.

From BBC

He dropped the fuel subsidy, which had long kept petrol prices low, saying that the government could no longer afford it.

From BBC

Related Words

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