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.
Levy says that helping comes naturally to people in their line of work. — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 30 July 2026 The chicken tenders have been a source of mixed reviews, with many shoppers loving the sauce and hefty helping of chicken, but others noting the breading quickly gets soggy, and their tenders were dry. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2026 In Texas, appreciating the process of patriotism Rodney Ellis will celebrate at picnics around his precinct in Houston with barbecue pork ribs and ice tea, and a heaping helping of worry about the nation's future. — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026 Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Helping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helping. Accessed 2 Aug. 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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