helping

noun

help·​ing ˈhel-piŋ How to pronounce helping (audio)
Synonyms of helpingnext
1
: a portion of food : serving
2
: dose sense 3
… large helpings of reportage and interviews.—Stefan Kanfer

Examples of helping in a Sentence

He had two helpings of carrots. Can I give you a second helping?
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.
The telling part is where the helping turns to reported self harm. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Fruit salad is simply classic, and the bright flavors of produce in this dish will merit a second helping. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 17 June 2026 And like a beloved holiday plate, mine held heaping helpings of tradition and memories. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 The show, which was originally based on a memoir of the same name, serves up serious fashion envy as well as a helping of good-old inspiring feminism. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for helping

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of helping was in 1866

Phrases Containing helping

Rhymes for helping

See All Rhymes for helping

Browse Nearby Words

helpfulness
helping
helping card
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

helping

noun
help·​ing ˈhel-piŋ How to pronounce helping (audio)
: a portion of food : serving

More from Merriam-Webster on helping

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for helping

Nglish: Translation of helping for Spanish Speakers

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