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
Examples of pathfinder in a Sentence
a pathfinder of the fashion world
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicki Minaj is a pathfinder whose popularity foreshadowed a recent proliferation of women’s voices in the rap mainstream — Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice, Latto, GloRilla, so many more — that was decades overdue.
—
Chris Richards, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2023
The team is currently working alongside NASA, the US Department of Energy, and the University of Minnesota on a pathfinder project called the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night (LuSEE-Night).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Sep. 2023
The nipples on the tetas of the nanny Fidelia were the navigator, the pathfinder, the salvation of all those who lost their way.
—Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Inside the tents and high bays in South Texas, the company has components for SN6, a separate pathfinder tank that uses a new steel alloy, and SN8.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Aug. 2020
As an advisor, Rinne styles herself as a pathfinder within the digital economy, platform economy, and sharing economy.
—Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
At the dedication, Ramona Denby-Brinson, who is the first Black woman to serve as dean of the UNC School of Social Work, credited McClinton with paving the way for her and noted the fortitude required for being a pathfinder.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2023
It was launched as a pathfinder for the Moon-orbiting outpost called Gateway, which will eventually form part of the Artemis program.
—Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 15 Nov. 2022
The flight will begin in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is slated to go beyond the James Webb telescope and into interplanetary deep space, where the company says the rocket will become the most distant permanent human repository outpost and a pathfinder for the human exploration of space.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2022
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Chris Richards, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2023
The team is currently working alongside NASA, the US Department of Energy, and the University of Minnesota on a pathfinder project called the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night (LuSEE-Night).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Sep. 2023
The nipples on the tetas of the nanny Fidelia were the navigator, the pathfinder, the salvation of all those who lost their way.
—Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
Inside the tents and high bays in South Texas, the company has components for SN6, a separate pathfinder tank that uses a new steel alloy, and SN8.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 Aug. 2020
As an advisor, Rinne styles herself as a pathfinder within the digital economy, platform economy, and sharing economy.
—Dr. Ruth Gotian, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
At the dedication, Ramona Denby-Brinson, who is the first Black woman to serve as dean of the UNC School of Social Work, credited McClinton with paving the way for her and noted the fortitude required for being a pathfinder.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2023
It was launched as a pathfinder for the Moon-orbiting outpost called Gateway, which will eventually form part of the Artemis program.
—Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 15 Nov. 2022
The flight will begin in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is slated to go beyond the James Webb telescope and into interplanetary deep space, where the company says the rocket will become the most distant permanent human repository outpost and a pathfinder for the human exploration of space.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Aug. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pathfinder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near pathfinder
Cite this Entry
“Pathfinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathfinder. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
pathfinder
noun
path·find·er
ˈpath-ˌfīn-dər
ˈpȧth-
: one that discovers a way and especially a new route in unexplored regions
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