usher

¹

[ uhsh-er ]

noun

1. a person who escorts people to seats in a theater, church, etc.
2. a person acting as an official doorkeeper, as in a courtroom or legislative chamber.
3. a male attendant of a bridegroom at a wedding.
4. an officer whose business it is to introduce strangers or to walk before a person of rank.
5. British Archaic. a subordinate teacher or an assistant in a school.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as an usher to; lead, introduce, or conduct:

   She ushered them to their seats.

2. 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)

1. to act as an usher:

   He ushered at the banquet.

Usher

²

[ uhsh-er ]

noun

1. James. Ussher, James.

usher

¹

/ ˈʌʃə /

noun

1. an official who shows people to their seats, as in a church or theatre
2. a person who acts as doorkeeper, esp in a court of law
3. (in England) a minor official charged with maintaining order in a court of law
4. an officer responsible for preceding persons of rank in a procession or introducing strangers at formal functions
5. obsolete.
   a teacher

verb

1. to conduct or escort, esp in a courteous or obsequious way
2. usually foll by in to be a precursor or herald (of)

Usher

²

/ ˈʌʃə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of (James) Ussher

Other Words From

• usher·ship noun
• under·usher noun
• un·ushered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usher¹

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; -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of usher¹

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

Example Sentences

This ushers in a new set of elites, still white, but with a disdain for neoliberal institutions that no longer serve their purpose.

From Salon

From the moment British crooner, pianist and producer Sampha joined his four-person band onstage to perform “Plastic 100°C” off his 2017-project “Process,” he ushered the audience in like a seasoned choir director.

From Los Angeles Times

The newspaper added: “A growing contingent of right-wing tech figures argue that Trump can usher in a new era of American dominance by removing red tape.”

From Salon

As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace.”

From BBC

This ushered in a wave of reforms, including the expansion of the officer candidate pool, which had previously been limited to members of the Metropolitan Division.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• escort
• initiate
• precede
• steer