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

That included noting that the job at the time wasn’t open, with McMahon — the permanent successor after Wade’s ouster — still in place. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

This year, following Maduro’s ouster, the US State Department recognized Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s head of state. —Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Mullin's nomination follows Noem's ouster as DHS secretary amid intense scrutiny of the department's handling of immigration enforcement in recent months. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Back at his castle, the Earl of Devon still wants to be part of the conversation that follows his ouster. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 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