Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who shows people to their seats: An "usher" is someone whose job is to guide people to their assigned seats in a public venue like a theater, cinema, or stadium.
   • An official doorkeeper: An "usher" can also be an official stationed at the entrance to a room, such as a courtroom or legislative chamber, to maintain order and control entry.

2. Verb:

   • To escort or lead someone to a place, especially a seat: To "usher" means to guide or conduct someone, typically to their seat in a venue.
   • To mark the beginning of something; to herald: To "usher" can also mean to cause or signal the start of a new period, event, or situation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The usher checked our tickets and led us down the aisle.
  • The courtroom usher announced the judge's arrival.

• Verb:

  • Please wait to be ushered to your table.
  • The treaty ushered in a new era of peace.

Advanced Usage

• "to usher something in": To cause something new to start; to herald the beginning of something.
  • The invention of the smartphone ushered in a revolution in communication.

Variants and Related Words

• Usherette (n, dated): A female usher, especially in a cinema.
  • The usherette showed us to our seats with a torch.

Synonyms

• Noun: Attendant, guide, doorkeeper, escort.
• Verb: Escort, conduct, guide, lead, herald, inaugurate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Usher in: To mark the beginning of something; to introduce.
  • The first warm day ushers in the feeling of spring.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. someone employed to conduct others
2. an official stationed at the entrance of a courtroom or legislative chamber
3. Irish prelate who deduced from the Bible that Creation occurred in the year 4004 BC (1581-1656)

Verb

1. take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
   • The usher showed us to our seats