noun

subsidy

SUB-suh-dee/ˈsʌbsədi/

Money provided by a government or organization to help cover costs.

The organization provides a subsidy to help the owner cover the workshop's costs.

At a simple public-service counter, an organization representative provides financial assistance to a small-business owner, who holds a plain folder with a simple drawing of his workshop.

Etymology

subsidyLatinhelp, aid, military reinforcements

Latin subsidium covered both reserve troops and help or relief. Monetary assistance was already an early English meaning; the selected sense specifies financial support from a government or organization.

In context

British Radio Giggles53:11

we've only three months left to take advantage of the government cash subsidy to encourage us to trade in older cars

Jack Dee Roasts The Audience | ISIHAC's Best Grumpy Intros & Pure Deadpan Misery

More examples

The farm receives a subsidy to help pay for irrigation.
Without housing subsidies, many tenants would struggle to pay rent.
The foundation offers a travel subsidy to conference speakers.

Forms

subsidy · subsidies

subsidize verb — To provide money to help cover costs.

Similar words

grant: An award of money for a specified purpose.
stipend: A fixed payment often covering living or training expenses.
allowance: An amount allotted regularly or for a particular expense.