lend-lease

US: (lend′lēs′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lend-lease  (lend′lēs′), n., v., -leased, -leas•ing. 
n. 

1. Government the matériel and services supplied by the U.S. to its allies during World War II under an act of Congress (Lend′-Lease′ Act′) passed in 1941: such aid was to be repaid in kind after the war.
2. the two-way transfer of ideas, styles, etc.

v.t. 

3. Government to supply (matériel or services) as authorized by the Lend-Lease Act.

• 1935–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lend-lease noun

1. (during World War II) the system organized by the US in 1941 by which equipment and services were provided for countries fighting Germany