herald herald /ˈhɛrəld/

noun

1. () (formal) a person who announces important news  ( trumpeter , herald )
   (formal) a person who announces important news
    The chieftain had a herald who announced his arrival with a trumpet
   the chieftain had a herald who announced his arrival with a trumpet
   
2. Something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone  ( harbinger , herald , precursor , forerunner , predecessor )
   something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
   

verb

1. () Praise vociferously  ( herald , acclaim , hail )
   praise vociferously
    The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein
   The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein
   
2. () Foreshadow or presage  ( annunciate , foretell , harbinger , announce , herald )
   foreshadow or presage
   
3. Greet enthusiastically or joyfully  ( herald , hail )
   greet enthusiastically or joyfully