ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇-stər 

1

a

: a wrongful dispossession

b

: a judgment removing an officer or depriving a corporation of a franchise

2

: expulsion

the ouster of the dictator

Examples of ouster in a Sentence

The news reported the ouster of the dictator.

the dictator's ouster by the rebels

Recent Examples on the Web

Khan’s lawyers criticized the process leading to his ouster, complaining that he was blocked from addressing the session Friday and arguing the regulations had been rewritten to disadvantage him. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

The dismissal of Khan comes at a moment of intense scrutiny of the ICC, particularly from the US, which also welcomed the ouster. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Abarca had previously declined to comment on the ouster following Monday’s meeting, with his attorney, Shawn Lee, saying that Abarca did not have any statement to make at that time. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Clark’s ouster, meanwhile, was botched, as a leak left ESPN brass scrambling to inform the former Steelers safety that he was being released Monday during an NFL Live commercial break. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, from oster, ouster to oust

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 

: the act or an instance of ousting or being ousted

Legal Definition

ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 

1

: wrongful dispossession especially of a cotenant

2

: a judgment removing a public officer or depriving a corporation of a public franchise