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

After Assad’s ouster, Syria has bolstered ties with the United States which has lifted most of its crippling sanctions on the country. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

The governing Labour party suffered bad results in local elections in May, though polls suggest the party has become more popular since the installation of Andy Burnham as prime minister in July following the ouster of Keir Starmer. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

The petition calling for Hoekstra's ouster was submitted by a Leanne Walker of Calgary and is sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 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