usher

[uhsh-er]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR usher ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

to act as an usher: He ushered at the banquet.

Origin of usher

1350–1400; Middle English uscher doorkeeper < Anglo-French usser, Old French (h)uissier doorman, officer of justice < Vulgar Latin *ustiārius, equivalent to Latin ōsti(um) door + -ārius -ary; see -er²

Related formsush·er·ship, nounun·der·ush·er, nounun·ush·ered, adjective

Usher

[uhsh-er]

noun

James. Ussher, James.

Ussher

or Ush·er

[uhsh-er]

noun

James,1581–1656, Irish prelate and scholar.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for usher

initiate, steer, escort, precede, leader, conductor, lead, precursor, guide, herald, attendant, page, pilot, doorkeeper, launch, receive, originate, direct, introduce, institute

Examples from the Web for usher

Contemporary Examples of usher

It would be tempting, at this point, to say that the Internet will corrode religious authority and usher in the Great Secular Age.
God vs. the Internet. And the Winner is…
Michael Schulson
November 16, 2014
This huge transfer, the researchers believe, will usher in what they call “a golden age of philanthropy.”
Trustafarians Want to Tell You How to Live
Joel Kotkin
October 31, 2014
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 Culture
Lauren 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.
Elmore Leonard’s Rocky Road to Fame and Fortune
Mike Lupica
September 13, 2014
The middle of August is supposed to usher in the dog days of summer.
Hey, Eric Holder: Voter ID Isn't Stuck in 1965
Ron Christie
August 12, 2014

Historical Examples of usher

Just then the usher appeared, and hastened up to the banker.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Never mind, I'll tell it to the usher the first time he comes this way.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 16, July 16, 1870
Various
The form of an usher showed itself in the half-opened doorway.
A Nest of Spies
Pierre Souvestre
"Silence," cried the usher of the court, but the prisoner only laughed out loud.
The Eternal City
Hall Caine
In a moment he opens the door again, to usher in the deputation; then retires.
The Mob (Third Series Plays)
John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for usher

usher

noun

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

verb (tr)

to conduct or escort, esp in a courteous or obsequious way

(usually foll by in) to be a precursor or herald (of)

Word Origin for usher

C14: from Old French huissier doorkeeper, from Vulgar Latin ustiārius (unattested), from Latin ostium door

Usher

noun

a variant spelling of (James) Ussher

Ussher

Usher

noun

James. 1581–1656, Irish prelate and scholar. His system of biblical chronology, which dated the creation at 4004 bc, was for long accepted

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

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.

"conduct, escort," 1590s, from usher (n.). Related: Ushered; ushering.