Dictionary
1herald
noun her·ald \ˈher-əld, ˈhe-rəld\
: a sign that something will happen
: an official messenger in the past
Full Definition of HERALD
1
a : an official at a tournament of arms with duties including the making of announcements and the marshaling of combatants b : an officer with the status of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders especially in war c (1) : officer of arms (2) : an officer of arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms
2
: an official crier or messenger
3
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Origin of HERALD
Related to HERALD
- Synonyms
- advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler (or gospeller), exponent, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight
- Antonyms
- adversary, antagonist, opponent
Synonym Discussion of HERALD
forerunner, precursor, harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces the coming of another. forerunner is applicable to anything that serves as a sign or presage <the blockade was the forerunner of war>. precursor applies to a person or thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment of another <18th century poets like Burns were precursors of the Romantics>. harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the coming or arrival of a notable event <their early victory was the harbinger of a winning season> <the herald of a new age in medicine>.
2herald
verb
: to be a sign of (something that is beginning to happen or will happen soon)
: to greet (someone or something) with enthusiasm
Full Definition of HERALD
transitive verb
1
: to give notice of : announce
3
: to signal the approach of : foreshadow
See herald defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HERALD
14th century
Related to HERALD
- Synonyms
- adumbrate, forerun, harbinger, foreshadow, prefigure
HERALDED Defined for Kids
1herald
noun her·ald \ˈher-əld\
Definition of HERALD for Kids
1
: an official messenger
2
: a person who brings news or announces something
2herald
verb
her·ald·edher·ald·ing
Definition of HERALD for Kids
1
: to give notice of : announce
2
: foretell <… in his sleep he heard the faintest sound and knew whether it heralded peace or peril. — Jack London, The Call of the Wild>
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