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

Aside from her affinity for floral chintz and maximal pairings, Sister Parish, born Dorothy May Kinnicutt in 1910 and nicknamed Sister by her brothers, was also known as a female trailblazer at a time when women couldn’t even open a bank account without their husband’s signature. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

Strikeforce held its first MMA event in 2006, a night that was echoed in the formula used by MVP this month, leaning on former UFC legends and trailblazers Ken Shamrock and Cesar Gracie. —Mark Puleo, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Growing up, Mikala Sposito dreamed of being a trailblazer. —Mike Householder, Fortune, 17 May 2026

For decades, late-night TV has introduced trailblazers trying to break, or reinvent, the staid routine of stand-up monologues and celebrity chitchat. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 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