harbinger

/ˈhɑrbəndʒər/

/ˈhɑbɪndʒə/

Other forms: harbingers; harbingered; harbingering

A harbinger is something that comes before and that shows what will follow in the future. The robin is a harbinger of spring — its presence means spring is coming soon.

The appearance of a ghost is often thought of as a harbinger of death. Middle English herbergere is from Old French herbergeor, "host," from herberge, "camp, shelter," a word ultimately borrowed from a Germanic language.

Definitions of harbinger

1. noun

   something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
   synonyms: forerunner, herald, precursor, predecessor

   types:

   bellwether

   a predictor or indicator of future trends

   type of:

   indicant, indication

   something that serves to indicate or suggest
2. verb

   foreshadow or presage
   synonyms: announce, annunciate, foretell, herald

   type of:

   tell

   let something be known