torchbearer

noun

torch·​bear·​er ˈtȯrch-ˌber-ər 

1

: one that carries a torch

2

: someone in the forefront of a campaign, crusade, or movement

Examples of torchbearer in a Sentence

He became the torchbearer for civil rights.

Recent Examples on the Web

In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch. — CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Barcelona, Catalunya’s glorious capital city on Spain’s eastern coast, has in recent years become the torchbearer in the fight against overtourism. — Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The pair presented at the 2026 Golden Globes, served as torchbearers in the 2026 Olympic Torch Relay and made their MET Gala debut in the just over seven months since the show premiered. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

The directors emphasize how Byrd became a torchbearer for legally obscene programming and an igniting force behind other adult content across digital media today. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for torchbearer

• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer
• repairer
• seafarer
• wayfarer
• bearer
• carer
• error
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer