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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Bulgari was an early pioneer of the practice, purchasing Gérald Genta and Daniel Roth in 2000. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024 Melissa Eaton, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Archaeological Society told Newsweek about how the two archaeologists determined that the remains were those of pioneers. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
The travel industry entered the loyalty game when United Airlines and American Airlines pioneered frequent flyer programs in the 1970s and 1980s. Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 The opponents verbally debated the merits of mumblecore filmmaking — a style that Swanberg pioneered but which Faraci criticized in his writing. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pioneer 

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 10 Nov. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on pioneer

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