pusher

American  

[poosh-er] / ˈpʊʃ ər /

noun

• pushers
  plural

1. a person or thing that pushes.

2. Slang. a peddler of illegal drugs.

3. Aeronautics. an airplane that is driven by pusher propellers.

4. Nautical. one of the masts abaft the mizzen on a sailing vessel having more than three masts, either the sixth or seventh from forward.

5. Railroads. a helper attached to the rear of a train, usually to provide extra power for climbing a steep grade.

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pusher British  

/ ˈpʊʃə /

noun

1. informal a person who sells illegal drugs, esp narcotics such as heroin and morphine

2. informal an actively or aggressively ambitious person

3. 1. a type of aircraft propeller placed behind the engine

   2. a type of aircraft using such a propeller

4. a person or thing that pushes

5. a rakelike implement used by small children to push food onto a spoon

6. the usual name for pushchair

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pushers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of pusher

First recorded in 1585–95; push + -er ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pusher pushers

Another popular Silicon Valley term, “SCALING,” was engraved in all caps on each’s crown pusher.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

“They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security,” Mr. Nikoui said at the time, according to the news organization.

From New York Times ● Mar. 8, 2024

David Hughes, representing the alleged pusher, suggested Ms Watts's attention had more focused on conversations with her friends, and the boy may have stumbled instead of pushing Christopher.

From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2024

Unlike most helicopters, Sikorsky’s bid uses two counter-rotating coaxial main rotors and a pusher propeller that the company says will allow for quicker acceleration and deceleration.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 29, 2022

“Good thing you have a grandma to help you. I bet she’s the best swing pusher in the world.”

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

Pawn pushers at a couple of low-stakes chess tournaments in Iowa and Louisiana recently sat down at their boards only to discover a surprising competitor: one of the highest rated chess players ever to live.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025

Two teams in contrasting form are set to battle it out this evening, with promotion pushers Partick Thistle hosting James McPake's Dunfermline Athletic - who remain in dire need of a victory.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2024

Here’s a recap of some of our favorite new record-breakers and, pardon the pun, envelope pushers from the academy’s latest choices.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

Rather than depicting an urban milieu populated by hustlers and pushers, the films that arrived during the newer decade captured an emerging, well-educated Black middle and upper class occupying high rises and boardrooms.

From New York Times ● Feb. 9, 2024

“A quarter,” she said, digging it out of the pocket of her pedal pushers.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English

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