| 1. | a direct pecuniary aid furnished by a government to a private industrial undertaking, a charity organization, or the like. |
| 2. | a sum paid, often in accordance with a treaty, by one government to another to secure some service in return. |
| 3. | a grant or contribution of money. |
| 4. | money formerly granted by the English Parliament to the crown for special needs. |

A grant made by a government to some individual or business in order to maintain an acceptable standard of living or to stimulate economic growth.