usher in

verb

ushered in; ushering in; ushers in

transitive verb

1

: to serve to bring into being

a discovery that ushered in a period of change

2

: to mark or observe the beginning of

ushered in the new year with merrymaking

Choose the Right Synonym for usher in

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation.

begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.

begin, opposed to end, is the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples of usher in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The election of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in 2022, marked the ascension of such right-wing policies in Italy and her administration has since ushered in a dramatic crackdown on immigration and asylum-seekers through remigration. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025

Renovating and expanding the higgledy-piggledy building—a monumental project that finally will welcome guests in February—will usher in the next chapter in the château’s story. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025

Spring/Summer 2026 ushered in a transformative chapter for several iconic fashion houses at Paris Fashion Week. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Everton and Doucoure eventually emerged unscathed, ushering in a new era of financial stability and hope. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1