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aid

n. · v.
US //ˈeɪd// UK //ˈeɪd// aid
  1. 1 help or relief (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    help, such as money or food, given to people or countries that need it.

    assistance, especially in the form of money, food, or equipment, provided to those in distress or to developing countries.

    Example

    The government sent emergency aid to the region after the earthquake.

    Example

    International aid agencies struggled to distribute supplies effectively due to the damaged infrastructure in the remote mountain provinces.

    Usage

    Often uncountable when referring to humanitarian relief.
  2. 2 a helpful tool (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a tool or piece of equipment that helps you do something.

    a device or material source of assistance that facilitates a task or compensates for a physical disability.

    Example

    Visual aids like charts and photos can help students understand the lesson.

    Example

    The elderly man relied on a hearing aid to participate in family conversations during the noisy holiday dinner.

    Usage

    Countable in this sense.
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  1. 3 to help (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to help or support someone or something.

    to provide support or assistance to further the progress of an action or person.

    Example

    The new software is designed to aid teachers in grading exams more quickly.

    Example

    The research was specifically funded to aid the development of sustainable energy solutions for rural communities.

    Usage

    Transitive verb; takes a direct object.
  2. 4 a helper (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a person who acts as an assistant.

    a person who acts as an assistant or helper; often used interchangeably with 'aide'.

    Example

    She worked as a teacher's aid for three years before getting her own classroom.

    Example

    The executive hired a personal aid to manage his complex travel schedule and daily correspondence.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern American English, the spelling 'aide' is much more common for a person, while 'aid' is used for the help itself.
  3. 5 horse control (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

    the way a rider uses their hands and legs to control a horse.

    the signals given by a rider to a horse using the hands, legs, voice, and body weight.

    Example

    The rider used subtle leg aids to tell the horse to move faster.

    Example

    Mastering the coordination of natural aids is essential for any equestrian wishing to compete at a professional level.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural.
Idioms1 entry

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