auxiliary

//ɔːɡˈzɪl.jə.ri//
B2Frequency Level 12Formal
Visual representation of auxiliary

Adjective

auxiliaryCanonical form
1

Providing supplementary or additional help and support.

The hospital has an auxiliary power generator in case of emergencies.

2

(Of equipment or a device) held in reserve for use when needed as a backup.

The hospital has an auxiliary power generator in case of emergencies.

3

(In grammar) relating to or denoting a verb used to form tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs, such as 'be', 'have', and 'do'.

In English, 'have' is an auxiliary verb used to form perfect tenses.

Noun

auxiliarySingular
auxiliariesPlural
1

A person or thing providing supplementary or additional help and support.

The hospital hired several auxiliaries to assist the nursing staff.

2

A group of troops or ships providing additional support to a main force.

The general called for auxiliaries to reinforce the front line.

3

(In grammar) an auxiliary verb.

In English, 'have' and 'be' are common auxiliaries used to form different tenses.