torchbearer

noun

torch·​bear·​er ˈtȯrch-ˌber-ər How to pronounce torchbearer (audio)
1
: one that carries a torch
2
: someone in the forefront of a campaign, crusade, or movement

Example Sentences

He became the torchbearer for civil rights.
Recent Examples on the Web Miranda Lambert, perhaps this era's finest female torchbearer of traditional country, has taken notice of where Wilson is staking her claim, and the superstar has identified her as the next one to carry the torch. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2022 The story of Bad Bunny’s mythical ascent from a grocery bagger in the small town of Vega Baja to a torchbearer for a new generation of reggaeton and trap artists has become nearly folklore. New York Times, 6 May 2022 And now, with Abbott as the critical darling of the Emmys and the torchbearer for network sitcoms typically put out to pasture in today's streaming age, more people than ever are paying attention. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 The last two installments of The Life of Pi’erre cemented him as a formidable torchbearer for the kind of melodic and lush raps his frequent collaborator Playboi Carti elevated during his early SoundCloud era. Dewayne Gage, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2022 The 911 is Porsche’s torchbearer, born in 1964 to race. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2022 King, who for all these years has been a prime torchbearer for female empowerment in sports, made her disgust plain. Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 25 June 2022 One previous Uyghur Olympic torchbearer is also highlighting how performative these acts of inclusion are, even when actual minorities are involved. Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 4 Feb. 2022 Years later, Ping received an invitation from Chinese officials to be a torchbearer at the opening ceremony in Beijing of the Summer Games in 2008. New York Times, 11 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'torchbearer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of torchbearer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near torchbearer

Cite this Entry

“Torchbearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torchbearer. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

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