usher in

verb

ushered in; ushering in; ushers in

transitive verb

1

: to serve to bring into being

a discovery that ushered in a period of change

2

: to mark or observe the beginning of

ushered in the new year with merrymaking

Choose the Right Synonym for usher in

begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation.

begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.

begin, opposed to end, is the most general.

begin a trip

began dancing

start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing

commenced a conversation

initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Examples of usher in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following complete transformation the property re-opened in 2025, retaining the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York while ushering in a new era for the hotel. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

In the hours after the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state’s gerrymandered congressional map, the two rulings have ushered in a chaotic and uncertain period for Kansas City voters. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026

According to the organization, Sánchez’s administration has not only ushered in a slate of reforms but also erected guardrails against the country’s rising far-right movements. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026

The president is hoping that, under Warsh's leadership, the Fed will usher in much lower interest rates. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1