trailblazer

noun trail·blaz·er \ ˈtrāl-ˌblā-zər \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Definition of trailblazer

1 : pioneer 2

a trailblazer in astrophysics

2 : one that blazes a trail to guide others : pathfinder

See trailblazer defined for English-language learners

See trailblazer defined for kids

Recent Examples of trailblazer from the Web

Stoneman was a trailblazer and sought a way to Prescott that would avoid the southern route.

— jim mcallister, azcentral, "Crumbling remains are all that's left of 19th century military supply route," 16 June 2018
Although a Duckworth is a trailblazer among U.S. politicians, political leaders in other countries have been able to take their babies and children to work for some time.

— alex scimecca, Fortune, "5 Politicians Who Brought Their Babies to Work Like Sen. Tammy Duckworth Did Today," 19 Apr. 2018
Experimental jazz legends Art Ensemble of Chicago will be in town to join Wolf Eyes, Michigan’s masters of noise rock, and art-punk trailblazers like Martin Rev (of legendary NY pioneering pioneering electronic duo Suicide).

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit music this weekend: Trip Metal Fest, Mollywop, Height Keech," 24 May 2018
In some ways, Apollo 8 has never gotten the respect as the literal trailblazer that led directly to Neil Armstrong's first step.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "First space mission to the moon recounted in new book," 21 May 2018
So harking back to the pre-communist era for a feminist trailblazer makes sense.

— New York Times, "Was This Powerful Chinese Empress a Feminist Trailblazer?," 10 July 2018
Orlando Sentinel Conversations Episode 32: Orlando Sentinel reporter Michael Williams talks with two trailblazers at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

— orlando sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "PODCAST: First female SWAT officer, chief deputy are trailblazers at Osceola Sheriff's Office (Ep. 32)," 4 June 2018
Fellow female trailblazers Angel Collinson, a big mountain skier, and Anna Pfaff, an alpine climber and Bay Area trauma nurse, also spoke at the event.

— maggie winterfeldt, SFChronicle.com, "Cow Hollow North Face store explores new territory: women’s activewear," 19 June 2018
While the film ably addresses his lasting influence as a trailblazer for African American men in the world of fashion, it gets bogged down in the 2016 election.

— katie walsh, latimes.com, "'The Gospel According to André' takes an intimate look at one-of-a-kind fashionista Talley," 24 May 2018

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

First Known Use of trailblazer

1908

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TRAILBLAZER Defined for English Language Learners

trailblazer

noun

Definition of trailblazer for English Language Learners

: a person who makes, does, or discovers something new and makes it acceptable or popular
: a person who marks or prepares a trail through a forest or field for other people to follow