pathfinder

noun

path·​find·​er ˈpath-ˌfīn-dər 

ˈpäth-

: one that discovers a way

especially : one that explores untraversed regions to mark out a new route

pathfinding

ˈpath-ˌfīn-diŋ 

ˈpäth-

noun or adjective

Examples of pathfinder in a Sentence

a pathfinder of the fashion world

Recent Examples on the Web

The Rangers serve as scouts, advisers and pathfinders, among other roles. —Gavin John, New York Times, 31 May 2025

Fixed an issue where the pathfinder line appears in photos taken in Photomode. —Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

That mission reached orbit with a pathfinder version of Blue Ring meant to validate the spacecraft's mechanics and avionics. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 25 July 2025

The Space Development Agency (SDA) launched a batch of prototype missile-tracking and data-relay satellites in 2023, pathfinders for a constellation of hundreds of spacecraft in low-Earth orbit that will begin launching later this year. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pathfinder

• bookbinder
• factfinder
• reminder
• sidewinder
• viewfinder
• binder
• blinder
• finder
• grinder
• kinder
• minder
• pinder

Kids Definition

pathfinder

noun

path·​find·​er ˈpath-ˌfīn-dər 

ˈpȧth-

: one that discovers a way and especially a new route in unexplored regions