purser

noun

purs·​er ˈpər-sər 

1

: an official on a ship responsible for papers and accounts and on a passenger ship also for the comfort and welfare of passengers

2

: a steward on an airliner

Examples of purser in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, subtle jacquard patterns intertwine the Delta Widget distinguishing Red Coats (in-airport managers), Sky Club ambassadors and pursers. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025

Perl recommends that people keen on a larger room go to the purser’s office and inquire if there have been any cancellations or no-shows. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 21 Jan. 2025

The two flight attendants taking care of me—one of whom was the purser on this flight—offered polished and attentive service without being over-the-top. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2023

The ceremony was officiated by the airline’s openly-gay chief purser Rodrigue Chan in the airline’s Poerava business class cabin. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from purs purse

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for purser

• bursar
• cursor
• mercer
• precursor

Kids Definition

purser

noun

purs·​er ˈpər-sər 

: an official on a ship who keeps accounts and attends to passengers