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

Or, is this high-profile loss, and others of recent vintage, for the middle lane of the Democratic Party due more to poor centrist standard-bearers (and enigmatic extremists) rather than the actual political positions themselves? —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

And Young Fathers isn’t the only experimental rock band to benefit from the 28 Years Later bump – post-rock standard-bearer Godspeed! —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 June 2025

Gretchen Whitmer—the governor of Michigan and, like Newsom, a leading candidate to be the Democrats’ next standard-bearer—has pursued a strategy of working with the Administration. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 20 June 2025

The Lakers won 11 fewer games in the 2000-01 season, but their run through the 2001 playoffs remains a standard-bearer for basketball dominance. —James Jackson, New York Times, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for standard-bearer

• bearer
• carer
• error
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer
• sharer
• terror
• wearer
• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer

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