usher
[uhsh-er]
- a person who escorts people to seats in a theater, church, etc.
- a person acting as an official doorkeeper, as in a courtroom or legislative chamber.
- a male attendant of a bridegroom at a wedding.
- an officer whose business it is to introduce strangers or to walk before a person of rank.
- British Archaic. a subordinate teacher or an assistant in a school.
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- to act as an usher to; lead, introduce, or conduct: She ushered them to their seats.
- to attend or bring at the coming or beginning; precede or herald (usually followed by in): to usher in the new theater season.
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- to act as an usher: He ushered at the banquet.
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Origin of usher
Usher
[uhsh-er]
- James. Ussher, James.
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Ussher
or Ush·er
[uhsh-er]
- James,1581–1656, Irish prelate and scholar.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for usher
Contemporary Examples
It would be tempting, at this point, to say that the Internet will corrode religious authority and usher in the Great Secular Age.
This huge transfer, the researchers believe, will usher in what they call “a golden age of philanthropy.”
Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and new kid on the block, Iggy Azalea were discovered by Akon, Usher, and T.I., respectively.
From Public Enemy to Power Broker: Hip-Hop’s the New Global Pop CultureLauren DeLisa Coleman
September 27, 2014
The usher is from the Bismarck Food Service, wearing a blue Bismarck jersey, carrying a Bismarck bucket filled with soft drinks.
The middle of August is supposed to usher in the dog days of summer.
Historical Examples
Just then the usher appeared, and hastened up to the banker.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
Never mind, I'll tell it to the usher the first time he comes this way.
The form of an usher showed itself in the half-opened doorway.
A Nest of SpiesPierre Souvestre
"Silence," cried the usher of the court, but the prisoner only laughed out loud.
The Eternal CityHall Caine
In a moment he opens the door again, to usher in the deputation; then retires.
The Mob (Third Series Plays)John Galsworthy
usher
- an official who shows people to their seats, as in a church or theatre
- a person who acts as doorkeeper, esp in a court of law
- (in England) a minor official charged with maintaining order in a court of law
- an officer responsible for preceding persons of rank in a procession or introducing strangers at formal functions
- British obsolete a teacher
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- to conduct or escort, esp in a courteous or obsequious way
- (usually foll by in) to be a precursor or herald (of)
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French huissier doorkeeper, from Vulgar Latin ustiārius (unattested), from Latin ostium door
Usher
- a variant spelling of (James) Ussher
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Ussher
Usher
- James. 1581–1656, Irish prelate and scholar. His system of biblical chronology, which dated the creation at 4004 bc, was for long accepted
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for usher
n.
late 14c., "servant who has charge of doors and admits people to a chamber, hall, etc.," from Anglo-French usser (12c.), from Old French ussier, from Vulgar Latin ustiarius "doorkeeper," from Latin ostiarius "door-keeper," from ostium "door, entrance," related to os "mouth." Fem. form usherette is attested from 1925.
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v.
"conduct, escort," 1590s, from usher (n.). Related: Ushered; ushering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper