pioneer

The definition of a pioneer is the first person to do something, like to explore a new territory or to enter a military action.

(noun)

An example of a pioneer is are early Americans who settled the old west.

See pioneer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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

adjective

intransitive verb

to be a pioneer

transitive verb

See pioneer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory to settle.
One who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development: a pioneer in aviation.
A soldier who performs construction and demolition work in the field to facilitate troop movements.
Ecology An animal or plant species that establishes itself in a previously barren environment.

adjective

verb pi·o·neered, pi·o·neer·ing, pi·o·neers

verb, transitive

a. To open up (an area) or prepare (a way): rockets that pioneered outer space.
b. To settle (a region).
To initiate or participate in the development of: surgeons who pioneered organ transplants.

verb, intransitive

To act as a pioneer: pioneered in development of the laser.

Origin:

Origin: French pionnier

Origin: , from Old French peonier, foot soldier

Origin: , from peon

Origin: , from Medieval Latin pedō, pedōn-

Origin: , from Late Latin, one who has broad feet

Origin: , from Latin pēs, ped-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots

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pioneer synonyms

pioneer in a sentence