money, food, etc. that is sent to help countries in difficult situations
humanitarian/food/medical aid
An extra £10 million in foreign aid has been provided for victims of the earthquake.
international aid workers
help that you need, especially to perform a particular task
with the aid of somebody/something She walks with the aid of a stick.
without the aid of somebody/something This job would be impossible without the aid of a computer.
(formal) One of the staff saw he was in difficulty and came to his aid (= helped him).
an object, a machine, etc. that you use to help you do something
Photos make useful teaching aids.
in order to help something/somebody
collecting money in aid of charity
used to ask why something is happening
What's all this crying in aid of?
to help somebody/something to do something, especially by making it easier
aid in something The test is designed to aid in the diagnosis of various diseases.
aid in doing something The research has aided in developing new drugs.
aid somebody/something The charity was established to aid hurricane victims.
The investigation was greatly aided by the fact that the house was equipped with CCTV cameras.
They were accused of aiding his escape.
aid somebody to do something They were accused of aiding him to escape.
aid somebody/something in something They were accused of aiding him in his escape.
aid somebody/something in doing something The strategy can aid teachers in dealing with disruptive behaviour.
aid somebody with something Words will be displayed around the room to aid students with spelling.
to help or encourage something to happen
New drugs are now available to aid recovery.
Some perfumes aid restful sleep.
Peppermint aids digestion.
to help somebody to do something illegal or wrong
She stands accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
He was charged with aiding and abetting the robbers.