■ noun ( plural subsidies )
1》 a sum of money granted from public funds to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low.
↘a sum of money granted to support an undertaking held to be in the public interest.
↘a grant or contribution of money.
2》 historical a parliamentary grant to the sovereign for state needs.
↘a tax levied on a particular occasion.
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. subsidie , from L. subsidium 'assistance'.