usher

1 of 2

noun

ush·​er ˈə-shər 

1

a

: an officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall, or chamber

b

: an officer who walks before a person of rank

c

: one who escorts persons to their seats (as in a theater)

2

archaic : an assistant teacher

usher

2 of 2

verb

ushered; ushering ˈə-sh(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to conduct to a place

2

: to precede as an usher, forerunner, or harbinger

3

: to cause to enter : introduce

a new theory ushered into the world

intransitive verb

: to serve as an usher

usher at a wedding

Synonyms of usher

Verb

• steer
• guide
• accompany
• lead

Examples of usher in a Sentence

Verb

He ushered them to their seats.

A nurse ushered us into the hospital room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Stallone also found work as an usher at a movie theater, earning just $34 a week. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

In order to feed himself, Stallone took a job as an usher at the Baronet and Coronet Theatre, a movie house on Third Avenue and 59th Street. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

After a stop at Gary’s podium, we were ushered to the factory floor entrance, where Stern employee and legendary game designer George Gomez briefed us on the tour rules and answered questions. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

One of the protesters ushered out of the rally was Jeffrey Doshier, a Kansas Army National Guard veteran from Wichita. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ussher, from Anglo-French ussier, usscher, from Vulgar Latin *ustiarius doorkeeper, from Latin ostium, ustium door, mouth of a river — more at ostium

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing usher

• usher in

Rhymes for usher

• crusher
• gusher

Kids Definition

usher

1 of 2 noun

ush·​er ˈəsh-ər 

: a person who leads other persons to seats (as in a theater or at a wedding)

usher

2 of 2 verb

ushered; ushering ˈəsh-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to lead to a place

2

: to cause to enter : introduce

usher in a new era