Pronunciation: [lˈiːslənd] (IPA) 
The word "leaselend" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /ˈliːz lɛnd/. The first syllable, "lease," is spelled with the long "e" sound and a soft "s" sound. The second syllable, "lend," is spelled with a short "e" sound and a hard "d" sound. The word refers to a type of lending in which one country provides another with goods or services in return for the right to use military bases or other facilities.
The term "leaselend" refers to a specific policy implemented during World War II by the United States government to lend and lease military equipment, supplies, and war materials to the Allied nations. Under the lend-lease program, the U.S. provided substantial aid to countries such as the United Kingdom, China, and the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945.
Leaselend involved the temporary transfer of resources from the U.S. to these countries, enabling them to effectively fight against Axis powers despite their limited financial means. The assistance provided included essential military equipment like aircraft, ships, tanks, ammunition, and food supplies. The leaselend policy aimed to bolster the defense capabilities of the allied nations, strengthen their resistance against German and Japanese aggression, and ultimately contribute to the defeat of the Axis powers.
This program was significant because it allowed the United States to have a considerable impact on the outcome of the war while remaining officially neutral until the attack on Pearl Harbor. It played a crucial role in ensuring the survival and success of some of the allied nations, particularly the Soviet Union, which otherwise would have faced significant challenges in fighting the powerful German army.
The leaselend program demonstrated the U.S.'s commitment to supporting its allies and represented a shift in American foreign policy towards a more interventionist stance. It contributed to the post-war reconfiguration of global power structures and the emergence of the United States as a leading world superpower.
The word "leaselend" is a combination of two separate words: "lease" and "lend".
"Lease" comes from the Old English word "lǣsan" which meant "to grant the temporary possession or use of (lands, etc.) to another in return for rent or other payment", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*lausijaną".
"Lend" also originates from the Old English word "lǣnan" which meant "to grant the temporary use of (something) to someone". This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*launijaną".
The combination of these two words, "lease" and "lend", forms "leaselend", which carries the meaning of granting the temporary use or possession of something to another party.
