aid

1 /eId/ noun

1 (U) help, such as money or food, given by an organization to a country or to people who are in a difficult situation: Aid is not getting through to the refugees. | in aid of (=in order to help): We're collecting money in aid of cancer research. | legal aid (=free legal services)

2 help or advice given to someone who needs it: come/go to sb's aid (=help someone): I didn't speak any French, but a nice man came to my aid and told me where to go.

3 (C) something such as a machine or tool that helps someone do something: A video is a useful aid in the classroom. | with the aid of: He was able to prove the existence of the supergun with the aid of a photograph.

4 what's this in aid of? BrE spoken used to ask what something is used for or why someone is doing something: What's this meeting tomorrow in aid of, then?

5 an American spelling of aide

-see also: first aid 2 verb (T) formal

1 to help someone or something by making their situation or what they are doing easier: an index to aid the reader | aid sb in/with sth: The local community aided us in our investigation. help 1 (USAGE)

2 aid and abet law to help someone do something illegal