Alms is money, food, or other help given to poor people. The word belongs to an older world of churches, temples, and people asking in the street. You almost never hear it in everyday talk now, except in history, religion, or set phrases like “give alms”. It feels uncountable — we say alms, not “an alm” — though actually the spelling already looks plural. The tone is quiet, serious, and a little churchy. For modern giving, English usually says donation, charity, or aid instead.