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

An Indigenous story told by Indigenous filmmakers, ‘Angh’ represents some of the most exciting cinema emerging from India’s margins, with the potential to become a torchbearer for a new, truly global Indian cinema. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Pop, in making his dream a reality, became a hero and a torchbearer. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Jimmy Fallon has spent most of the summer as the sole torchbearer for late-night on broadcast television. — Peter White, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

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

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