Subsidy

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Support; aid; coöperation; esp., extraordinary aid in money rendered to the sovereign or to a friendly power. They advised the king to send speedy aids, and with much alacrity granted a great rate of subsidy. Bacon.

2. Specifically: A sum of money paid by one sovereign or nation to another to purchase the coöperation or the neutrality of such sovereign or nation in war.

3. A grant from the government, from a municipal corporation, or the like, to a private person or company to assist the establishment or support of an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public; a subvention; as, a subsidy to the owners of a line of ocean steamships.

Synonyms: Tribute; grant. Subsidy, Tribute. A subsidy is voluntary; a tribute is exacted.