usher

[ uhsh-er ]

/ ˈʌʃ ər /

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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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

Other definitions 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. 2023

How to use usher in a sentence

To see her now thriving ushers in a new era for her species and for conservation-dependent species everywhere.
The First Endangered American Animal Has Been Cloned|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|February 19, 2021|Singularity Hub
The incoming storm system will generate some rain showers late this afternoon into the evening and usher in colder air for the weekend.
A magnificent sunrise marks January’s midpoint in D.C.|Matthew Cappucci, Jason Samenow|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
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
I ushered you into this wicked world, young man, and a nice use you seem to have made of your time.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
He presented his card to the corpulent and powdered footman; he was announced; he was ushered in.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Many other of the famous inquirers in those years which ushered in modern science believed in witchcraft.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Indeed, two steaming tubs stood in the kitchen into which the girls of Central High were ushered.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
A moment later a very sullen and defiant Mike McSweeney was ushered into the room.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various

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

usher

Origin of usher

OTHER WORDS FROM usher

Other definitions for usher (2 of 2)

Words related to usher

How to use usher in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for usher (1 of 2)

Word Origin for usher

British Dictionary definitions for usher (2 of 2)