harbinger

[hahr-bin-jer]

noun

1. a person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald.

2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign.

   Frost is a harbinger of winter.

   Synonyms: indication, portent, precursor, forerunner, herald

3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train, etc., to provide or secure lodgings and other accommodations.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as harbinger to; herald the coming of.

harbinger

/ ˈhɑːbɪndʒə /

noun

1. a person or thing that announces or indicates the approach of something; forerunner

2. obsolete,  a person sent in advance of a royal party or army to obtain lodgings for them

verb

1. (tr) to announce the approach or arrival of

Word History and Origins

Origin of harbinger¹

First recorded in 1125–75; late Middle English herbenger, nasalized variant of Middle English herbegere, dissimilated variant of Old French herberg(i)ere “host,” equivalent to herberg(ier) “to shelter” (from Germanic; harbor ) + -iere -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of harbinger¹

C12: from Old French herbergere, from herberge lodging, from Old Saxon heriberga; compare Old High German heriberga army shelter; see _harry , _borough

Example Sentences

The cancellation is a harbinger of what could happen under a fundamental restructuring of U.S. media that will take place if the proposed Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros.

From Salon

For the Beatles and the world, “Rubber Soul” marked a watershed moment — an unmistakable harbinger for innovative and even more provocative works of musical art.

From Salon

The bond vigilantes are striking, and this is the ultimate harbinger of doom.

From BBC

Is it just a bird or is it a harbinger of doom and death?

From Los Angeles Times

The most troubling aspect of Alligator Alcatraz is that it may be a harbinger of things to come.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• omen 
• portent 
• precursor 

When To Use

What does harbinger mean?

Harbinger most commonly means an omen or a sign of something to come.Harbinger can also mean a person sent ahead to make people aware that someone else is coming (such as a king) or to make preparations (such as for an army), but these meanings are much less common. Harbinger can also be used as a verb meaning to act as a sign or omen.Example: These flowers are always the first to bloom, so people consider them harbingers of spring.