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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pushers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pusher

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

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

In part, this viewpoint reflected a discomfort with carrying out an action that triggered results which couldn’t be viewed by the button pusher.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2022

“He’s been out drilling in Smith County. Filling in for a tool pusher who got hurt, I think. I’ve been steering clear as much as I can.”

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

Playing the 2p pushers, I meet John and Sue, a couple down on a coach trip from the Midlands.

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

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

But as the Kent E-FIT debacle reminds us, such pencil pushers still have a lot to teach our modern-day crime stoppers, and even the fanciest image model can’t beat a trained sketch artist just yet.

From Slate ● May 1, 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

My sisters and I left home wearing six pairs of underdrawers, two half-slips and camisoles; several dresses one on top of the other, with pedal pushers underneath; and outside of everything an all-weather coat.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver