helping

1 of 2

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

helping

2 of 2

present participle of help entry 1

Examples of helping in a Sentence

Noun 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.
Noun
The right option depends on a patient’s needs and preferences, with a healthcare provider helping determine the approach. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 French toast made with a heaping helping of Fruity Pebbles cereal and topped with vanilla ice cream was a favorite brunch favorite for both kids and grownups when Cork & Pig ruled the corner of Crockett and Currie streets. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026 Similarly, places that rely on natural snow, like Monarch Mountain and Wolf Creek Ski Area, don’t set open dates until Mother Nature dumps a healthy helping of powder. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2026 The sharp Cheddar melts beautifully into the cornbread and creates a crispy, cheesy crust that will have your family asking for another helping, too. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helping

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

helping

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

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