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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ushered
Contemporary Examples
China and Russia, countries that ushered in similar economic transitions, scored 36 and 27 accordingly.
But when Tarkhan got sick with tuberculosis and was ushered out, the government gave him no pension or medical assistance.
Action Comics No.1 is the book that ushered in the golden age of superheroes in tights.
The girls are ushered into their role as housekeepers and child bearers and the boys are tasked with providing for the family.
Some shocked students ran from the room, others were ushered out.
Historical Examples
After coffee we were ushered into the drawing-room, and listened to a concert.
Camps, Quarters and Casual PlacesArchibald Forbes
In a few moments the visitor was ushered into the apartment.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
He was standing up waiting for me when I was ushered into the room.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
Before I had ended, Turkey made his appearance, ushered in by Allister.
Ranald Bannerman's BoyhoodGeorge MacDonald
After a few moments' delay, Wentworth was ushered into the office of this gentleman.
A Woman IntervenesRobert Barr
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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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 ushered
usher
v.
"conduct, escort," 1590s, from usher (n.). Related: Ushered; ushering.
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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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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper