trailblazer

noun

trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrāl-ˌblā-zər 

1

: pioneer sense 2

a trailblazer in astrophysics

2

: one that blazes a trail to guide others : pathfinder

Word Icons

Examples of trailblazer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Tron franchise began with Steven Lisberger's game-changing original, which was a trailblazer for CGI use in cinema. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

It is intended to connect current crew members with McDonald’s alumni trailblazers who’ve turned their early lessons under the Golden Arches into thriving careers in entrepreneurship, food, fashion, and sports. —Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Fellow chef and close friend Carla Hall wrote a touching tribute to Scott on Instagram, calling her a force and a trailblazer. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Earlier trailblazers such as Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky had demonstrated the potential of meditative moviemaking. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trailblazer

• appraiser
• fundraiser
• blazer
• gazer
• glazer
• kayser
• laser
• lazar
• maser
• mazer
• phasor
• raiser

Kids Definition

trailblazer

noun

trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrā(ə)l-ˌblā-zər 

: someone who prepares the way for others who follow: as

a

: pathfinder

b

: pioneer entry 1 sense 1