usher

[ uhsh-er ]

/ ˈʌʃ ər /

See 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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM usher

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

Definition for usher (2 of 2)

Usher

[ uhsh-er ]

/ ˈʌʃ ər /

noun

James. Ussher, James.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for usher

On his second attempt, the usher cuts him off at “professor” and the laugh track explodes.
The Latest Hub of Political Humor: Gambia|Charu Kasturi|November 24, 2020|Ozy
China and Russia, countries that ushered in similar economic transitions, scored 36 and 27 accordingly.
Cuba Is A Kleptocracy, Not Communist|Romina Ruiz-Goiriena|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But when Tarkhan got sick with tuberculosis and was ushered out, the government gave him no pension or medical assistance.
The Secret Life of an ISIS Warlord|Will Cathcart, Vazha Tavberidze, Nino Burchuladze|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Action Comics No.1 is the book that ushered in the golden age of superheroes in tights.
The Holy Grail of Comic Books Hid in Plain Site at New York Comic Con|Sujay Kumar|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The girls are ushered into their role as housekeepers and child bearers and the boys are tasked with providing for the family.
The Sad Hidden Plight of Child Grooms|Nina Strochlic|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some shocked students ran from the room, others were ushered out.
This Gun Nut Says Most School Shootings Aren’t Real|Brandy Zadrozny|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Again the door was thrown open, and this time the Dean ushered the Prince into the chamber, and conducted him toward the dais.
The Prince of India, Volume II|Lew. Wallace
Was the reformation not ushered in by a small and persecuted group?
Woman and Socialism|August Bebel
Miss Cushing was sitting in the front room, into which we were ushered.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 25, January 1893|Various
Christmas morning was ushered in with a sharp little flurry of snow.
Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches|Joel Chandler Harris
But, to turn what was grave into farce, the door opened, and Wilkinson ushered in Peter Peebles.
Red Gauntlet|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for usher (1 of 2)

usher

/ (ˈʌʃə) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for usher (2 of 2)

Usher

/ (ˈʌʃə) /

noun

a variant spelling of (James) Ussher

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

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