standard-bearer

noun

stan·​dard-bear·​er ˈstan-dərd-ˌber-ər How to pronounce standard-bearer (audio)
1
: one who bears a standard or banner
2
: one that leads an organization, movement, or party
a standard-bearer for political reform

Examples of standard-bearer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To one side stood Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid’s standard-bearer and main event, dutifully introducing the man who pays his wages to his Brazil teammates. Rory Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024 There are several Republican primary contenders, including a mayor and a former television reporter, both of whom have endorsed former President Donald J. Trump as the party’s standard-bearer this year, and a hotel developer from the Jersey Shore who has been critical of Mr. Trump. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Vance, like Moreno, evolved relatively quickly from a never-Trump Republican to a MAGA standard-bearer. Rick Klein, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 Citizen Zoo launched in 2016 as a standard-bearer for rewilding after Ruzo had seen conventional wildlife charities’ lukewarm embrace of the idea while studying for a masters in conservation science at Imperial College London, following a degree in zoology. Matthew Ponsford, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Many Ukrainians do not see Navalny as the democratic standard-bearer he is considered to be in the West. Serhiy Morgunov, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Germany was quick to point out that Mr. Macron seemed an unlikely standard-bearer. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 His standing as the party standard-bearer — both politically and on policy — is now undisputed, having transformed the party’s positions on free trade, spending, entitlement programs and international affairs. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The author then charts the 16th president’s embrace of European immigration as the standard-bearer of the new, anti-slavery Republican Party. Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standard-bearer.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of standard-bearer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near standard-bearer

Cite this Entry

“Standard-bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standard-bearer. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

standard-bearer

noun
stan·​dard-bear·​er
ˈstan-dərd-ˌbar-ər,
-ˌber-
1
: one who bears a standard or banner
2
: the leader of an organization or movement

More from Merriam-Webster on standard-bearer

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