pusher

[ poosh-er ]

noun

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. Compare driver ( def 10b ), spanker ( def 1b ).
5. Railroads. a helper attached to the rear of a train, usually to provide extra power for climbing a steep grade.

pusher

/ 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. See pushchair
   the usual name for pushchair

Word History and Origins

Origin of pusher¹

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

Example Sentences

“Unfortunately, the majority of pharmacists, what it seems from my perspective, is most of them are button pushers,” he continues.

From Popular-Science

For bigger jobs, you may want to purchase an electric shovel or a larger snow pusher with wheels.

From Popular-Science

Snow pushers are increasingly popular choices because they are lightweight and help you remove snow without excessive lifting.

From Popular-Science

Keep in mind that snow pushers aren’t the best choice for excessive, heavy icy snow.

From Popular-Science

The best snow pushers can help prevent back injuries because the act of pushing is inherently easier than lifting.

From Popular-Science

I could do the job of personal assistant and wheelchair-pusher and look good doing it.

From The Daily Beast

This is something that no number counter or pencil pusher in Hollywood can ever understand.

From The Daily Beast

Now, she stars in the first big film of her career, Pusher, out Friday, and produced by Nicolas Winding Refn (director of Drive).

From The Daily Beast

After that, she says, she and Winding Refn plan to team up for a sequel to Pusher—but this time, the story will center around Flo.

From The Daily Beast

The point C is the centre of the propeller, or, in the case of a "pusher" aeroplane, the centre of the nacelle.

From Project Gutenberg

This record is surpassed by engines which have just been built for pusher service on the soft-coal Virginian Railway.

From Project Gutenberg

These men, seeing the headlight of the stalled engine, were ready for action as the 'pusher' raced forward at full speed.

From Project Gutenberg

The swift tractor biplane may possibly give way to the slower biplane of the pusher type, which has greater stability.

From Project Gutenberg

The pusher gives a final shove at the rear end, and cuts loose, glad to be rid of the job.

From Project Gutenberg