What is the meaning of herald?

noun

• Formal) a person who announces important news. (
  • usage: "the chieftain had a herald who announced his arrival with a trumpet"
  • synonyms: trumpeter
• Something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone.
  • synonyms: harbinger, forerunner, predecessor, precursor

verb

• Foreshadow or presage.
  • synonyms: announce, annunciate, harbinger, foretell
• Praise vociferously.
  • usage: "The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein"
  • synonyms: acclaim, hail
• Greet enthusiastically or joyfully.
  • synonyms: hail