pi·o·neer
ˌpī-ə-ˈnir 
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
pioneered; pioneering; pioneers
: to act as a pioneer
pioneered in the development of airplanes
1
: to open or prepare for others to follow
also
: settle
2
: to originate or take part in the development of
Synonyms
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
Ebony Flake, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Immigrant pioneer Harris Newmark wrote that this nearly broke up the Baer family, because Mrs. Baer was a devoted secessionist.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Many legal firms serve clients interested in the EB-5 visa program, but Reid & Wise has become a pioneer in the space.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Since exploding onto the scene in 2019, the 25-year-old singer/rapper has been a dominant force in the Latin American music scene and is widely considered one of the pioneers of Argentina’s burgeoning trap movement.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Featuring collaborations with country pioneers Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell, contemporary country crossover stars Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, and a host of upcoming Black country artists, Beyoncé's sprawling Cowboy Carter has been met with both praise and criticism.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
In the newest version of the Rolling Stone 500 Songs list, with so many recent songs joining the mix, all the great Fifties rock & roll pioneers unfortunately took a hit.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
The album also features guests like Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Beyoncé’s 6-year-old daughter Rumi Carter, and Linda Martell, one of the pioneers for Black acts in country music and the first Black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry.
—Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024
The early season forecast from Colorado State University — a key pioneer of preseason hurricane forecasting — calls for another above-average season.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Additionally, their art program focuses on leveraging creativity to highlight environmental issues, alongside partnerships with researchers and scientists aimed at pioneering new materials and conservation methods for the oceans and their ecosystems.
—Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Brave has regularly pioneered features related to innovative web technologies, including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and (most recently) artificial intelligence; there's actually a new AI assistant built into it.
—David Nield, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
Billie Eilish may have just pioneered an incredibly effective social media growth tactic with one simple move on Instagram.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
From a satire on petty Hialeah politics to a meditation on gentrification in Little Haiti to an homage for the Miami Shores woman who pioneered the selfie, more and more filmmakers are telling stories by Miami for Miami.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
The high-tech rescue equipment is certainly befitting of Ultra G. The custom vessel was inspired by two sportfishing yachts that Heesen launched in the 1990s, but is equipped with innovations the yard has pioneered over the past 40 years.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Esser, who has pioneered research in this area, says muscle clocks are key in guiding when the cell takes a break to rest and repair, including storing up energy, and when to get primed for activity.
—Will Stone, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
Keith LeBlanc, a drummer, producer and recording artist best known for his work on pioneering early hip-hop records by Grandmaster Flash and others, died Thursday after a battle with an undisclosed illness, his wife Fran LeBlanc confirms to Variety.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
In the relatively novel lane of influencer representation, Campbell’s is a pioneer.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Immigrant pioneer Harris Newmark wrote that this nearly broke up the Baer family, because Mrs. Baer was a devoted secessionist.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Many legal firms serve clients interested in the EB-5 visa program, but Reid & Wise has become a pioneer in the space.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Since exploding onto the scene in 2019, the 25-year-old singer/rapper has been a dominant force in the Latin American music scene and is widely considered one of the pioneers of Argentina’s burgeoning trap movement.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Featuring collaborations with country pioneers Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell, contemporary country crossover stars Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, and a host of upcoming Black country artists, Beyoncé's sprawling Cowboy Carter has been met with both praise and criticism.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
In the newest version of the Rolling Stone 500 Songs list, with so many recent songs joining the mix, all the great Fifties rock & roll pioneers unfortunately took a hit.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
The album also features guests like Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Beyoncé’s 6-year-old daughter Rumi Carter, and Linda Martell, one of the pioneers for Black acts in country music and the first Black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry.
—Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2024
The early season forecast from Colorado State University — a key pioneer of preseason hurricane forecasting — calls for another above-average season.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
At the World Bank, Ajay set forth a new vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet and moved boldly to make good on it—from pioneering innovative financial tools to reimagining partnerships across the multilateral development banks and with the private sector.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Additionally, their art program focuses on leveraging creativity to highlight environmental issues, alongside partnerships with researchers and scientists aimed at pioneering new materials and conservation methods for the oceans and their ecosystems.
—Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Brave has regularly pioneered features related to innovative web technologies, including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and (most recently) artificial intelligence; there's actually a new AI assistant built into it.
—David Nield, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
Billie Eilish may have just pioneered an incredibly effective social media growth tactic with one simple move on Instagram.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
From a satire on petty Hialeah politics to a meditation on gentrification in Little Haiti to an homage for the Miami Shores woman who pioneered the selfie, more and more filmmakers are telling stories by Miami for Miami.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
The high-tech rescue equipment is certainly befitting of Ultra G. The custom vessel was inspired by two sportfishing yachts that Heesen launched in the 1990s, but is equipped with innovations the yard has pioneered over the past 40 years.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Esser, who has pioneered research in this area, says muscle clocks are key in guiding when the cell takes a break to rest and repair, including storing up energy, and when to get primed for activity.
—Will Stone, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
Keith LeBlanc, a drummer, producer and recording artist best known for his work on pioneering early hip-hop records by Grandmaster Flash and others, died Thursday after a battle with an undisclosed illness, his wife Fran LeBlanc confirms to Variety.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 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
Dictionary Entries Near pioneer
Cite this Entry
“Pioneer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pioneer. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
pioneer
1 of 2 noun
pi·o·neer
ˌpī-ə-ˈni(ə)r
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 verb1
: to act as a pioneer
2
: to open or prepare for others to follow
especially
: settle entry 2 sense 2a
3
: to begin or take part in the development of something new
More from Merriam-Webster on pioneer
Nglish: Translation of pioneer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pioneer for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pioneer
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