Herald

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Herald

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

HER-uld  /ˈhɛrəld/

Definition

As a noun: a historical official who made public announcements and carried messages between rulers; an officer responsible for armorial bearings and genealogy; a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something. As a verb: to be a sign of; to announce or proclaim.

Plain meaning

A herald was the official messenger and announcer of a medieval court — carrying messages between rulers, proclaiming tournaments, and recording coats of arms. Today herald means to announce or signal the coming of something: the herald of a new era, heralding change.

Register

Neutral to formal. The noun in its historical sense is used in medieval history, heraldry, and formal contexts. The verb to herald is widely used in journalism and literary prose: the discovery heralds a new era, heralding unprecedented change.