subsidy
SUHB-sih-dee
Subsidy (noun) means Money given, often by a government, to support an industry, activity, or lower a price. Example: “Farmers received a subsidy to help offset the cost of fuel.”
noun
1
Money given, often by a government, to support an industry, activity, or lower a price.
"Farmers received a subsidy to help offset the cost of fuel."
"The council offers a small subsidy to families who want to insulate their homes."
"Without a subsidy, tickets on that rural railway line would cost much more."
How to use subsidy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFinancial help, usually from government, to support a business, activity, or lower cost for consumers.
Common pairings
government subsidy
housing subsidy
cut subsidies
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Word forms
- Plural
- subsidies
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Farmers received a _____ to help offset the cost of fuel.
Etymology
From Latin subsidium, "support, assistance" — from sub- ("below") plus sīdō ("to sit, settle"), the sense of a reserve force sitting in support.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for subsidy
See all rhymes for subsidy →Frequently asked questions
What does “subsidy” mean?
The word “subsidy” means money given, often by a government, to support an industry, activity, or lower a price. In plain terms, financial help, usually from government, to support a business, activity, or lower cost for consumers.
How do you pronounce “subsidy”?
“Subsidy” is pronounced SUHB-sih-dee (/ˈsʌbsɪdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “subsidy” in a sentence?
Here is “subsidy” used in a sentence: “Farmers received a subsidy to help offset the cost of fuel.”
What is the opposite of “subsidy”?
The opposite of “subsidy” — its antonyms — is tax.
What part of speech is “subsidy”?
“Subsidy” is a noun.
Where does the word “subsidy” come from?
The word “subsidy” comes from Latin. From Latin subsidium, "support, assistance" — from sub- ("below") plus sīdō ("to sit, settle"), the sense of a reserve force sitting in support.
Is “subsidy” a common word?
“Subsidy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between a "subsidy" and a "grant"?
A subsidy is money provided, often by a government, to support an industry or activity or to lower the price of a good or service, while a grant is typically a one-time award given for a specific project or purpose. Subsidies are usually ongoing and tied to production or consumption, whereas grants are often project-based.
How does a "subsidy" differ from a tax break?
A subsidy is a direct payment of financial support, while a tax break reduces the amount of tax owed rather than handing over money upfront. Both can lower costs for a business or industry, but only a subsidy involves an active payment.
Why do governments give subsidies?
Governments give subsidies to support industries they consider important, encourage particular activities, or make goods and services more affordable for the public.
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