herald

noun

her·ald | \ ˈher-əld ,

ˈhe-rəld \

Definition of herald

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an official at a tournament of arms (see arm entry 3 sense 1a) with duties including the making of announcements and the marshaling of combatants

b : an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war

c(1) : officer of arms

(2) : an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms

2 : an official crier or messenger Mercury was the gods' herald.

3a : one that precedes or foreshadows heralds of a coming storm

b : one that conveys news or proclaims : announcer it was the lark, the herald of the morn —William Shakespeare

c : one who actively promotes or advocates : exponent

herald

verb

heralded; heralding; heralds

Definition of herald (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give notice of : announce a gong used to herald the new year the approach of a cold air mass … is heralded by a shift of the wind —P. E. James

2a : to greet especially with enthusiasm : hail doctors are heralding a new drug

b : publicize a highly heralded event

3 : to signal the approach of : foreshadow The technology heralded a new age of space exploration.

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about herald

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Choose the Right Synonym for herald

Noun

forerunner, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another. forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage. the blockade was the forerunner of war precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another. 18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event. their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season the herald of a new age in medicine

Did You Know?

Verb

The exact origin of "herald" is uncertain, but it is thought to derive from Germanic roots. Specifically, etymologists believe that "herald" developed from an assumed Frankish compound whose first component is akin to the Old High German heri-, meaning "army," and whose second component is akin to the Old High German word waltan, meaning "to rule." When "herald" first appeared on the scene in the 14th century, it referred to an official at a tournament of arms whose duties included the making of announcements. The verb forms, extending the "announcement" idea, soon followed.

Examples of herald in a Sentence

Noun

The early flowers are heralds of spring. Mercury was the herald of the Roman gods.

Verb

Rain heralds the arrival of spring. The technology heralded a new age of space exploration.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Müller’s success in a modern 4-2-3-1 formation was the herald of a new generation. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 1 Day to Go - Germany's Mild-Mannered Goal Machine, Miroslav Klose," 13 June 2018 Months ago, its heralds announced that electric scooters had overtaken cities across California. — Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, "Electric Scooters Are the Cargo Shorts of Transportation," 31 May 2018 Image To most people, the buds and sprouts of April are welcome heralds of spring. — Zach Montague, New York Times, "Lanternflies Eat Everything in Sight. The U.S. Is Looking Delicious.," 21 May 2018 Tulane also stated its commencement will feature live jazz, herald trumpets, confetti cannons and a second-line procession. — Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, NOLA.com, "Steve Gleason among 4 to receive honorary Tulane degree," 7 May 2018 But now that season arrives like a presciently timed herald of the #MeToo-Time’s Up revolution, with 13 female directors and 9 of 13 episodes written or co-written by women. — Mike Hale, New York Times, "Review: ‘Jessica Jones’ Returns, Well Timed for the Time’s Up Moment," 7 Mar. 2018 Still, Atwell thinks the author was a herald of social change. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Hayley Atwell Found Herself in One of Literature’s Greatest Heroines," 30 Apr. 2018 Accompanying the ball Captain were his heralds, Misses Rayven Payton and Rayion Payton. — Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, "Original Illinois Club Carnival Ball 2018 honors heritage," 12 Feb. 2018 Outside the hall, the morning air was filled with light, cheerful music from the CSO Chamber Players, and fanfares from herald trumpets on the balcony above. — Monroe Trombly, Cincinnati.com, "Look inside the renovated Cincinnati Music Hall," 7 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Global investors who were once eager to buy any dip in emerging markets are now backing away, fearing that a big tumble could herald more weakness ahead. — Yeliz Candemir, WSJ, "Investors Dump Turkish Lira as They Turn Cold on Emerging Markets," 10 July 2018 His confirmation by the Senate, which Republicans control 51-49, could herald a historic shift, potentially creating the most conservative Supreme Court in generations. — Author: Greg Stohr And Andrew Harris, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump’s Supreme Court nominee is a Washington insider and regulation skeptic," 10 July 2018 The movie is at times a mess, but a compelling one, and this debut from Boots Riley should herald a fascinating filmmaking career. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Sorry to Bother You Is Fizzy, Flawed, and Fascinating," 6 July 2018 The man so often heralded as 'the most naturally gifted English midfielder of his generation' never truly realised his potential at international level. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 7 Weeks to Go - Gazza's Tears, a Defining Moment in English Football," 7 May 2018 The fifth pick was the draft’s most heralded pass rusher, N.C. State’s Bradley Chubb, tempting enough to make Denver pass up taking a QB. — Les Bowen, Philly.com, "Saquon Barkley picked No. 2 overall by Giants; Browns take Baker Mayfield at No. 1," 26 Apr. 2018 North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb is the most heralded at his position in the draft and will almost surely be gone before the Bears pick. — Rich Campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Fill in the blank: Bears writers address four topics before NFL draft," 22 Apr. 2018 In 2014, President Barack Obama announced that the United States was opening up relations between the U.S. and Cuba, a détente as much hated as heralded. — Angela Helm, The Root, "Like Everything Else, Trump Wrecks Travel to Cuba, Too," 8 Apr. 2018 Venus moves into Pisces on February 10, heralding a mushy month ahead. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Sign's February 2018 Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 31 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'herald.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for herald

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French heraud, herald, from Frankish *heriwald-, literally, leader of an armed force, from *heri- army + *wald- rule; akin to Old High German heri- army, waltan to rule — more at harry, wield

Verb

see herald entry 1

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