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

Answer the call inward as solstice ushers in Capricorn season. —Usa Today, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025

Temperatures will be above average due to compressional heating ahead of an approaching cold front and from winds from the southwest, ushering in a breezy and dry airmass. —Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

In recent decades, development has ushered in modern apartments, businesses and housing that typically attracts younger residents while preserving historic architecture. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025

The Microsoft co-founder helped usher in the personal computing revolution, spent years as the world’s richest person, and is now focused on reshaping his legacy through philanthropy rather than wealth accumulation. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1