assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt How to pronounce assistant (audio)
Synonyms of assistant
1
: a person who assists someone : helper
also : a person holding an assistantship
2
: a device or product that provides assistance
software assistants
personal digital assistant
assistant adjective

Synonyms of assistant

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Examples of assistant in a Sentence

an assistant to the college president an assistant to the store manager a wealthy executive who has a personal assistant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a recent client engagement, the AI assistant looked successful on paper, but the work around it was still fragmented. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 In the normal course of performing day-to-day activities, these assistants and agents routinely pull code and other resources from repositories and registries. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026 Once recovered, Hickok started working as a stablehand or assistant to the keepers of the Pony Express station in Rock Creek. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026 The 54,000-square-foot medical spa runs like clockwork and is staffed with efficient, kind, and caring receptionists, medical assistants, and doctors of good humor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for assistant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistent, borrowed from Anglo-French assistant, assistent, noun derivative of assistant, assistent, adjective, "assisting, helpful," from present participle of assister "to help, aid" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistance Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of assistant was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing assistant

Rhymes for assistant

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Browse Nearby Words

assistance dog
assistant
assistant professor
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Cite this Entry

“Assistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assistant. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

assistant

noun
as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt How to pronounce assistant (audio)
: a person who assists another : helper
assistant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on assistant

Nglish: Translation of assistant for Spanish Speakers

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