Subsidise: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：provide financial support (subsidise)

subsidise 🔊

/ˈsʌbsɪdaɪz/

vt.

To give money, often from the government, to help pay for something so it becomes cheaper or more affordable.

Subsidise concept illustrated: government funding reduces public bus fare for affordable transportation.

provide financial support 🔊

➕

/prəˈvaɪd faɪˈnænʃəl səˈpɔːrt/

vt.

This verb means to grant financial aid from an authority (like a government) to an entity (like an industry or a person) in order to lower the cost of a service or product, or to support its operation.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'sub-' (under) + 'sidere' (to sit). Thus, to 'sit under' or support.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a SIDEWALK (side) being built UNDER (sub) the city's financial SUPPORT.

📖 Example

To encourage public transport use, the government subsidises train tickets, making them cheaper for commuters. 🔊 To encourage public transport use, the government provides financial support for train tickets, making them cheaper for commuters.

🔗 Collocations

heavily subsidise – to provide a very large amount of financial support

subsidise housing – to provide financial aid to make housing more affordable

subsidise an industry – to give financial assistance to a specific sector of the economy

🔄 Synonyms

fund (vt.) – to provide money for a particular purpose

finance (vt.) – to provide funding for

underwrite (vt.) – to accept financial responsibility for; to guarantee funding

🚫 Antonyms

tax (vt.) – to impose a compulsory financial charge on

🌱 Derivatives

subsidy (n.) – a sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low

subsidisation (n.) – the action or process of subsidising

📖 Cultural Story

The term evolved from Latin 'subsidium', meaning reserve troops or aid. In English culture, it is a cornerstone of economic policy debates, frequently discussed in relation to public services like healthcare (the NHS), agriculture, and renewable energy industries.