pioneer Hear it!

pioneer Definition

pio·neer (pī′ə nir)

noun

  1. Archaic a member of a military engineer unit trained to construct or demolish bridges, roads, trenches, etc.
  2. ☆ a person who goes before, preparing the way for others, as an early settler or a scientist doing exploratory work
  3. a plant, animal, etc. that starts a new cycle of life in a barren area

Etymology: Fr pionnier < OFr peonier, foot soldier < peon: see peon

adjective

  1. being one of the first of its kind
  2. of or characteristic of the settlers of a new territory

intransitive verb

to be a pioneer

transitive verb

  1. to prepare or open (a way, etc.)
  2. ☆ to be a pioneer in or of

pioneer Synonyms

pioneer

modif.

pioneering, initial, untried; see brave 1, early 1, experimental.

pioneer Synonyms

pioneer

n.

  1. One who prepares the way

    pathfinder, scout, explorer; see guide 1.

  2. One in the vanguard of civilization

    settler, colonist, pilgrim, immigrant, colonizer, halutz, homesteader, squatter, frontiersman, backwoodsman.

  3. A military engineer

    fortification engineer, member of demolition squad, bridge builder, road builder, miner, sapper, bridge monkey*, road monkey*; see also engineer 1.

pioneer Synonyms

pioneer

v.

pioneer Usage Examples

Object

  • spirit: Everest is synonymous with bravery, determination and the pioneering spirit of adventure.
  • concept: In 1986 Peter Baldwin pioneered the concept of offering fully mobile hire boilers in trailers.
  • work: He is best remembered for his pioneering work in health reform.
  • initiative: Last month, Legal Week reported a pioneering initiative in the US that reverses the traditional secondment model.
  • approach: My company has pioneered this approach for many years.
  • venture: This in itself is a pioneering venture, unique in Asia and most other parts of the world.

Converse of object

ordain: Ordained Pioneer Ministry guidelines The House of Bishops have approved new guidelines implementing the recommendations of the Mission-shaped Church Report for ordained pioneers.

Adjective modifier

  • civic: To be recognized as a civic pioneer, a local authority need not take on new responsibilities.
  • legendary: New album of electonic and digital dub and reggae from legendary post-punk pioneer Richard H. Kirk.
  • early: He was one of the early pioneers of recording.
  • true: By the late ' 90s Pulp were one of the most popular British groups, rising out of Sheffield to become true Britpop pioneers.

Modifies a noun

  • missionary: John Paton was a great pioneer missionary who devoted himself to sharing the gospel with the cannibals of the New Hebrides in the Pacific.
  • species: Silver Birch trees are known as a pioneer species, because they are often the first trees to become established in an area.
  • photographer: There are two permanent galleries telling the story of Kingston and another dedicated to the life and work of pioneer photographer, Eadward Muybridge.
  • specie: The dense, low forest that the pioneer species create is called a ' secondary forest ' .
  • vegetation: However, over time other species of trees start to replace the pioneer vegetation.

Noun used with modifier

aviation: An exhibition explains the work of the famous Yorkshire aviation pioneer, Robert Blackburn.

Preposition: in

field: One of the earliest was from a pioneer in the field in the Second World War, General William J. Donovan.

Preposition: of

  • aviation: Finally, there is a major collection of original letters and manuscripts from pioneers of aviation, including the Wright brothers.
  • revival: The pairs pioneering of a revival in old-school sounds and arrangements, together with Digital and Reinforced, dominated drum & bass throughout 2001.

Browse dictionary entries near pioneer

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