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

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Examples of trailblazer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Longtime Arlington resident Elzie Odom, the city’s first Black mayor, a trailblazer and a champion of the people, died Monday. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Nov. 2025

Second, his mother, Sybil Chester, a trailblazer in the luxury beverage world and Moët Hennessy’s first manager of multicultural relations, spent over 40 years in the wine and spirits industry and was instrumental in introducing the brand to the African American and Caribbean markets. —Essence, 18 Nov. 2025

The Sherry Lansing Leadership Award recognizes trailblazers and philanthropists in entertainment and media and was established in honor of Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a Hollywood studio (Lansing is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures). —Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025

More than 550 people attended to cheer on the eclectic group of trailblazers, stars and out-and-out icons. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025

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