pioneer

1 of 3

noun

pi·​o·​neer ˌpī-ə-ˈnir How to pronounce pioneer (audio)
1
: a member of a military unit usually of construction engineers
2
a
: a person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development
b
: one of the first to settle in a territory
3
: a plant or animal capable of establishing itself in a bare, barren, or open area and initiating an ecological cycle

pioneer

2 of 3

verb

pioneered; pioneering; pioneers

intransitive verb

: to act as a pioneer
pioneered in the development of airplanes

transitive verb

1
: to open or prepare for others to follow
also : settle
2
: to originate or take part in the development of

pioneer

3 of 3

adjective

1
2
: relating to or being a pioneer
especially : of, relating to, or characteristic of early settlers or their time

Examples of pioneer in a Sentence

Noun the pioneers who settled in the American West in the 19th century the hardships that the pioneers endured while taming the wilderness Verb a painter who pioneered a new art form The new method of cancer treatment was pioneered by an international team of researchers. He helped pioneer a new route to the West. He pioneered in the development of airplanes. Adjective the nation's pioneer institution for the education of African-Americans
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But back then, genetic genealogy was still new, and Moore was one of its pioneers. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024 His fellow billionaire Henry Kravis, the buyout pioneer, is one of the few Jewish members of Palm Beach’s old-money Everglades Club, but not Mr. Peltz. Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2024 According to a GoFundMe set up by the hip-hop pioneer’s family, in 2011 Laws was diagnosed with renal disease, a condition in which the kidneys no longer properly function, per Mayo Clinic. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 As such, the event always features a collection of genre founders and pioneers, an esteemed group that this year includes Moodymann playing b2b with Carl Craig as Detroit Love, Derrick Carter playing b2b with Mark Farina, Marshall Jefferson b2b Gene Ferris and more. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 The world’s car graveyard Mr. Otunga never set out to be a clean energy pioneer, or even to drive a motorcycle for a living at all. Lenny Rashid Ruvaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 The evolution of board diversity, starting from the pioneer Patricia Roberts Harris’ appointment to the board of IBM in 1971, is chronicled in OnBoard. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The desert state of Rajasthan is the Indian pioneer and has more solar pumps than any other. Fred Pearce, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Recommended Compassion Biden’s food drops in Gaza underscore difficulties with Israel The state’s Latter-day Saint pioneers were asylum-seekers of another era, fleeing religious and political persecution in the 1800s at the hands of fellow Americans. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
While the United States has pioneered breakthroughs in A.I., most recently with the uncanny humanlike abilities of chatbots, a significant portion of that work was done by researchers educated in China. Cade Metz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Biden’s visit shows high stakes of $20 billion Ohio chip factory The United States pioneered semiconductor technology decades ago but since the 1990s has allowed its chip manufacturing to atrophy, even as China’s production soared, thanks to heavy subsidies. Jeanne Whalen, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Many of the cities that pioneered reducing car use—like Copenhagen in the 1970s—are rated today as some of the best places to live in the world. Andrew Kersley, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 When these products began to reach a critical mass in middle-class homes, a new concept was pioneered: disposables! Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The South Sante Fe Community will be managed by the Colorado Village Collaborative, the nonprofit that pioneered the micro-community concept in Denver; it formerly was run by Chandler. Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Over the past two decades, Gracie has pioneered countless Hendrick’s releases and has amassed an array of botanicals, distillates, and experimental liquids, which are housed in a locked cabinet in her laboratory, the Cabinet of Curiosities at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Related article Why ‘resurrection biology’ is gaining traction around the world Cellular research techniques pioneered by Colossal have opened up a new avenue for saving the endangered elephant, said Oliver Ryder, director of conservation genetics at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Performance of this hyper car–level can be credited to Wilson’s insistence on using only the best parts and materials possible, pioneering the use of Alnico drivers and adjustable baffles to deliver yet-unheard clarity and detail. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pioneer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French pionnier "worker employed on field fortifications who accompanies an army," going back to Old French peonier, pionier "foot soldier, laborer tasked with excavation," from peon, pion "foot soldier" + -ier -eer — more at pawn entry 1

Verb

derivative of pioneer entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of pioneer entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1780, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pioneer was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near pioneer

Cite this Entry

“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pioneer. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pioneer

1 of 2 noun
pi·​o·​neer ˌpī-ə-ˈni(ə)r How to pronounce pioneer (audio)
1
: a person or group that explores new areas of thought or activity
pioneers of American medicine
2
: one of the first to settle in an area : colonist
pioneer adjective

pioneer

2 of 2 verb
1
: to act as a pioneer
2
: to open or prepare for others to follow
3
: to begin or take part in the development of something new

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