helping

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɛlpɪŋ/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -ɛlpɪŋ

From Middle English helping, helpinge, helpynge, equivalent to help +‎ -ing.

helping (countable and uncountable, plural helpings)

1. The act of giving aid or assistance (to).

   She finds great joy in helping people.

2. (countable) A portion or serving, especially of food that one takes for oneself, or to which one helps oneself.

   She eagerly took a second helping of ice cream.

3. (figurative, countable) An amount or quantity.
   • 2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     Wayne Rooney marked his England return with the goal that secured a place in Euro 2012's last eight - but it was a rough passage eased by helpings of good fortune and controversy against Ukraine.

• help oneself

From Middle English helpinge, helpynge, helpinde, helponde, helpand, from Old English helpende, present participle of Old English helpan (“to help”), equivalent to help +‎ -ing. Cognate with Dutch helpend, German helfend, Swedish hjälpande.

helping

1. present participle and gerund of help