pacesetter

American

[pays-set-er] / ˈpeɪsˌsɛt ər /

noun

a person, group, or organization that is the most progressive or successful and serves as a model to be imitated.
a person or thing that sets the pace, as in racing.

pacesetter British

/ ˈpeɪsˌsɛtə /

noun

another word for pacemaker pacemaker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

pacesetting

adjective

Etymology

Origin of pacesetter

First recorded in 1890–95; pace ¹ + setter

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

pacesetter

Having been upstaged by the arrival of ChatGPT in late 2022, Google has emerged as a pacesetter in generative AI since spring 2024 following recent advances.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

However, some groups including sector pacesetter LVMH, the owner of Louis Vuitton and Dior, have recently reported better trends in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

I could make a case for five horses being the pacesetter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2023

Winning when not playing at a high level is always the mark of a team with trophy ambitions and the three points kept Arsenal in sight of Premier League pacesetter Manchester City.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 17, 2023

Instructed by Smith to wait behind Special Agent’s lead, he quickly saw that the pacesetter was blocked and was not going to be able to get to the front.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023