standard-bearer
noun
stan·dard-bear·er
ˈstan-dərd-ˌber-ər 
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
The former president, however, has remained the undisputed front-runner to become the GOP's next standard-bearer.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
The president’s advisers pointed to Democratic gains in this month’s elections as evidence that the party and its standard-bearer are in fine shape.
—Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
From its 1974 debut album to 2015, when the band played a farewell show at the Forum, Rush was the standard-bearer for elaborate, multi-part songs full of falsetto hollers, time signature changes and drum solos.
—Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
The mood, triumphalist and threatening, was typical for the group, which positions itself as Israel’s nemesis and the standard-bearer of Palestinian resistance.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
The former Obama adviser David Axelrod even kinda, sorta, maybe suggested that Biden should consider stepping aside as the Party’s 2024 standard-bearer.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2023
With their support, Mr. Sánchez will likely avoid new elections, win parliamentary backing for another stint as prime minister and solidify his place in the European Union as its standard-bearer for progressive politics.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Republicans need a standard-bearer who can look forward towards the future and who is 100% focused on delivering wins for the American people for the next eight years.
—Julia Johnson, Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2023
But those who are, or aspire to be, Democratic standard-bearers ought to be thinking about the party’s needs across the country, and that means not encouraging a donor sinkhole in their own backyard.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
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Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
The president’s advisers pointed to Democratic gains in this month’s elections as evidence that the party and its standard-bearer are in fine shape.
—Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
From its 1974 debut album to 2015, when the band played a farewell show at the Forum, Rush was the standard-bearer for elaborate, multi-part songs full of falsetto hollers, time signature changes and drum solos.
—Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
The mood, triumphalist and threatening, was typical for the group, which positions itself as Israel’s nemesis and the standard-bearer of Palestinian resistance.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
The former Obama adviser David Axelrod even kinda, sorta, maybe suggested that Biden should consider stepping aside as the Party’s 2024 standard-bearer.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2023
With their support, Mr. Sánchez will likely avoid new elections, win parliamentary backing for another stint as prime minister and solidify his place in the European Union as its standard-bearer for progressive politics.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Republicans need a standard-bearer who can look forward towards the future and who is 100% focused on delivering wins for the American people for the next eight years.
—Julia Johnson, Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2023
But those who are, or aspire to be, Democratic standard-bearers ought to be thinking about the party’s needs across the country, and that means not encouraging a donor sinkhole in their own backyard.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
See More
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 30 Nov. 2023.
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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
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