usher

1 of 2

noun

ush·​er ˈə-shər 

1

a

: an officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall, or chamber

b

: an officer who walks before a person of rank

c

: one who escorts persons to their seats (as in a theater)

2

archaic : an assistant teacher

usher

2 of 2

verb

ushered; ushering ˈə-sh(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to conduct to a place

2

: to precede as an usher, forerunner, or harbinger

3

: to cause to enter : introduce

a new theory ushered into the world

intransitive verb

: to serve as an usher

usher at a wedding

Synonyms

Verb

• conduct
• direct
• guide
• lead
• marshal
• marshall
• pilot
• route
• show
• steer

Examples of usher in a Sentence

Verb

He ushered them to their seats.

A nurse ushered us into the hospital room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kramer's children had important roles in the ceremony, too: Jolie as the flower girl, Jace as the ring bearer, and Russell's son Troy served an usher. —Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 13 July 2024

By the time the doors open at 2 p.m. for the show, Fischer is in her polyester usher uniform, helping audience members to their seats. —Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Verb

When the Salem Seven, the witches relentlessly pursuing Agatha, begin to arrive at the castle, Lilia ushers the rest of the coven out of the tower, stays behind, and, once she’s surrounded by the Seven, flips the Tower card. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024

Plus, this week's cold front ushered gusts and windy conditions that make fighting fires more difficult. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ussher, from Anglo-French ussier, usscher, from Vulgar Latin *ustiarius doorkeeper, from Latin ostium, ustium door, mouth of a river — more at ostium

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing usher

• usher in

Kids Definition

usher

1 of 2 noun

ush·​er ˈəsh-ər 

: a person who leads other persons to seats (as in a theater or at a wedding)

usher

2 of 2 verb

ushered; ushering ˈəsh-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to lead to a place

2

: to cause to enter : introduce

usher in a new era