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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for ushered

directed, shown, presented, supervised, introduced, attended, led, guided, heralded

Examples from the Web for ushered

Contemporary Examples of ushered

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of ushered

After coffee we were ushered into the drawing-room, and listened to a concert.
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes
In a few moments the visitor was ushered into the apartment.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
He was standing up waiting for me when I was ushered into the room.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
Before I had ended, Turkey made his appearance, ushered in by Allister.
Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood
George MacDonald
After a few moments' delay, Wentworth was ushered into the office of this gentleman.
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr

British Dictionary definitions for ushered

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

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

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

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.