ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇-stər 

1

a

: a wrongful dispossession

b

: a judgment removing an officer or depriving a corporation of a franchise

2

: expulsion

the ouster of the dictator

Examples of ouster in a Sentence

The news reported the ouster of the dictator.

the dictator's ouster by the rebels

Recent Examples on the Web

But as the Iran war squeezes Republicans ahead of the midterms, Democrats are aligning to call for the defense secretary’s ouster or resignation. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

What’s also notable in the event timeline is what’s left out — namely, the extent to which Murati reportedly had a hand in both Altman’s ouster and his reinstatement. — Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Speaking of swords, Sam actually carries one around his San Francisco apartment while schmoozing with reporters over his blamelessness in the OpenAI ouster. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

When the third act slows down to dramatize the hours of Altman’s ouster from OpenAI, Guadagnino has almost no way of generating the sort of ice-blooded intrigue that runs in Fincher’s veins. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, from oster, ouster to oust

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 

: the act or an instance of ousting or being ousted

Legal Definition

ouster

noun

oust·​er ˈau̇s-tər 

1

: wrongful dispossession especially of a cotenant

2

: a judgment removing a public officer or depriving a corporation of a public franchise