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Definitions

helping

[hel-ping] / ˈhɛl pɪŋ /
NOUN
portion of food
Synonyms
STRONG
allowance course dollop meal order piece plateful ration serving share
Antonyms
STRONG
whole

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for helping?
Helping has a couple of different meanings, which have different sets of synonyms. Many words don’t have exact synonyms like big is an exact synonym of large, and helping is one of those words. As a noun (in the context of food) As a noun, the word helping refers to a portion of food served to one person at one time. Synonyms include serving and portion. This can refer to another portion of whatever is being served, such as another helping of salad or mashed potatoes or pie. However, in the context of a meal, helping, serving, and portion all often imply an entire plate’s worth of food (not just a little extra). In this sense, when you get another helping, you fill your plate up again. The word plate can be used to mean the same thing, as in I’m still hungry, so I’m going to the buffet to get another plate.   In certain settings, such as in a military mess hall, the word for a helping is ration, which implies that there is a limited amount of food to be divided among everyone. As a verb (the continuous tense of help) Helping is the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb help, and it can use all the same synonyms that help can, just with -ing added. Synonyms for helping include aiding, assisting, and supporting. The word providing is often used in terms meaning the same thing, as in providing help/aid/assistance/support.  An informal way of saying this is lending a helping hand (in which a helping hand refers to aid or assistance).
What can you say instead of helping others?
The phrase helping others is commonly used as a general way of referring to helping people or performing acts of charity.  Volunteering is a common way of helping others. Other general terms include providing aid/assistance/support. But if you want to be more specific, such as on a resume, you can always use more specific descriptions of the kind of help you have provided, as in Volunteering experience includes serving food at the soup kitchen and providing free counseling services.
How do you use helping in a sentence?
Helping is a very common word that can be used in many different contexts and situations. Here are some examples of helping in a sentence:
  • My grandma gave me two helpings of meatloaf.
  • I was very grateful to my coworker for helping me make more friends at work.
  • The initiative was created with the intention of helping the people who do not have access to healthcare.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“For generations, Prego has brought families together over the meals they love, helping create meaningful moments around the table,” said Jaime Zagami, Prego’s Director of Marketing, in the recent press release.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

This "is helping Pacific Island countries get ahead of climate change by strengthening their food security based on better information", says Hemant Mandal, GCF director for Asia and the Pacific.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

He also backed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, helping elevate a movement that until then had been largely driven by vulnerable island states.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Bones that show signs of injury or disease may be more likely to preserve blood vessels or other soft tissues, helping scientists target promising specimens.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2026

We had lost nearly an hour helping Katy Logan.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Vocabulary lists containing helping

"Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf"

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