herald
Americannoun
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heralds
plural
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(formerly) a royal or official messenger, especially one representing a monarch in an ambassadorial capacity during wartime.
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a person or thing that precedes or comes before; forerunner; harbinger.
the returning swallows, those heralds of spring.
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a person or thing that proclaims or announces.
A good newspaper should be a herald of truth.
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(in the Middle Ages) an officer who arranged tournaments and other functions, announced challenges, marshaled combatants, etc., and who was later employed also to arrange processions, funerals, etc., and to regulate the use of armorial bearings.
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an official intermediate in rank between a king-of-arms and a pursuivant, in the Heralds' College in England or the Heralds' Office in Scotland.
noun
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a person who announces important news
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( as modifier )
herald angels
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literary a forerunner; harbinger
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the intermediate rank of heraldic officer, between king-of-arms and pursuivant
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(in the Middle Ages) an official at a tournament
verb
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to announce publicly
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to precede or usher in
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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heraldsimple
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heraldssimple
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have heraldedperfect
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has heraldedperfect
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am heraldingprogressive
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are heraldingprogressive
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is heraldingprogressive
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have been heraldingperfect progressive
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has been heraldingperfect progressive
Past
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heraldedsimple
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had heraldedperfect
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was heraldingprogressive
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were heraldingprogressive
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had been heraldingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of herald
1300–50; Middle English herau ( l ) d < Old French herau ( l ) t < Frankish *heriwald, equivalent to *heri army + *wald commander ( see wield). Compare name Harold
Explanation
A herald is a sign of things to come. A chilly day in October is a herald of the coming winter. Years ago, a herald was an official who announced important news to the people. This is why many newspapers today have herald in their name. Nowadays, the noun herald refers to an early indicator that something is about to happen. Herald can also be used as a verb meaning "to praise" or "to greet enthusiastically." If you've been away from home for a long time, your family might herald your return, especially if you come bearing gifts.
Vocabulary lists containing herald
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Does a performance like this, during the most-watched sporting event in the world, herald something similar coming soon to a stadium near you?
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Two days after the Summer of Ludd ended, private jets and helicopters descended on Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to herald the start of the Allen & Co.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Some European leaders say the hybrid attacks could herald a more conventional military attack in coming years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
By scrapping discs, PlayStation is positioning itself as the first console-maker to herald an end to physical media.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
“Lothoi Bmne, freerider in the service of Lord Baehsh,” cried the herald.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
She later meets another student, Mika, in the library, as a Filipino love song heralds the start of their passionate saga.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
The question now is whether it remains merely a digital throwback to the past, or heralds a new era of wind in the hair motoring.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
“It heralds a new era of wildlife overcrossings to improve wildlife connectivity,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
It was the biggest increase in four years, and heralds more inflation in the pipeline of the economy.
From MarketWatch ● May 13, 2026
“I’m afraid that information isn’t available to heralds either,” Victor claims.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
And the passage of revamped environment laws last year was heralded as the most significant reform in a generation.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
Alberto Carvalho, the school board accused its heralded leader of unprofessional conduct, unsatisfactory performance and “violation of or refusal to obey” state laws or school district regulations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
In the interview on Friday, she praised Zelensky as a “wartime leader” and heralded Ukraine as “an essential ally.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
In an opinion piece published on Philippine media the same day, Rubio heralded Washington's commitment "to freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia" while reaffirming the US defensive umbrella in the region.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
The spirit of musical invention heralded by Monteverdi was enthusiastically taken up by his successors over the following century.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
At least three firm were showcasing so-called agentic phones at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai this weekend -- heralding what may be to come.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
White House officials are heralding a provision in the agreement that will require U.S. approval to increase tolls by 10% or more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
It’s just one of many shows taking place from Pomona to Palm Desert, heralding a Latino-led youth revival where the freewheeling movement of mosh pits meets the raw power of punk rock: Inland Empire hardcore.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
In his social media post heralding the agreement, the American president said that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to commercial shipping and the US would lift its naval blockade.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
Like the scientific inventions that were sparking into life all around him, heralding the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, this music was intended, primarily, to benefit and enlighten all.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
