trailblazer

noun

trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrāl-ˌblā-zər 

1

: pioneer sense 2

a trailblazer in astrophysics

2

: one that blazes a trail to guide others : pathfinder

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Examples of trailblazer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Westside Square was a trailblazer in food truck parks in Hartford. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026

Even Van Leeuwen, a trailblazer of the fancy-ice-cream movement, has put it on tap. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

Hughes was, by instinct, a low-key, consensus politician, not a bold trailblazer. — George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2026

David might be the most influential yet unobtrusive trailblazer the Canadian team has ever had. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trailblazer

• appraiser
• fundraiser
• blazer
• gazer
• glazer
• kayser
• laser
• lazar
• maser
• mazer
• phasor
• raiser

Kids Definition

trailblazer

noun

trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrā(ə)l-ˌblā-zər 

: someone who prepares the way for others who follow: as

a

: pathfinder

b

: pioneer entry 1 sense 1