Pioneer Definition
pīə-nîr
pioneered, pioneering, pioneers
noun
pioneers
A member of a military engineer unit trained to construct or demolish bridges, roads, trenches, etc.
Webster's New World
One who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory to settle.
American Heritage
A person who goes before, preparing the way for others, as an early settler or a scientist doing exploratory work.
Webster's New World
A plant, animal, etc. that starts a new cycle of life in a barren area.
Webster's New World
A soldier who performs construction and demolition work in the field to facilitate troop movements.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- road monkey
- bridge monkey
- miner
- road builder
- bridge-builder
- member of demolition squad
- fortification engineer
- sapper
- backwoodsman
- frontiersman
- homesteader
- halutz
- colonizer
- immigrant
- pilgrim
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adjective
Being one of the first of its kind.
Webster's New World
Of or characteristic of the settlers of a new territory.
Webster's New World
Leading the way; trailblazing.
A pioneer treatment for cancer.
American Heritage
verb
pioneered, pioneering, pioneers
To prepare or open (a way, etc.)
Webster's New World
To be a pioneer in or of.
Webster's New World
To settle (a region).
American Heritage
To be a pioneer.
Webster's New World
To initiate or participate in the development of.
Surgeons who pioneered organ transplants.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
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Origin of Pioneer
-
French pionnier from Old French peonier foot soldier from peon from Medieval Latin pedō pedōn- from Late Latin one who has broad feet from Latin pēs ped- foot ped- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Middle French pionier (“originally, a foot soldier"), Old French peonier, from peon (“a foot soldier") (modern French: pion). See pawn in chess.
From Wiktionary
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