standard-bearer
Americannoun
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an officer or soldier of an army or military unit who bears a standard.
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a conspicuous leader of a movement, political party, or the like.
noun
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an officer or man who carries a standard
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a leader of a cause or party
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of standard-bearer
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
Explanation
A person who heads up a particular movement or group is its standard-bearer. The President of your French club is the ideal standard-bearer, with her beret and that perfect accent. A standard-bearer leads an organization, but also represents it. If a news story says that a new member of Congress is a standard-bearer for young conservatives, that means she speaks for many politicians who share those beliefs and is seen as a leader among them. This meaning comes from the original definition, "a soldier carrying (or bearing) the flag of a specific military unit or state."
Vocabulary lists containing standard-bearer
Flag Day
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Novel Study: I Am Malala
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 27–August 2, 2025
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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.
Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan Wongsawat, who became Pheu Thai's standard-bearer ahead of the February election, was made minister of higher education in Anutin's cabinet.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
“I just don’t see it,” Yee said, given the way Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, the top GOP contenders, are smacking each other around, hoping to emerge as the undisputed Republican standard-bearer.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026
His strident nationalism over the border conflict with Cambodia, his staunch support for the army and his intense loyalty to King Vajiralongkorn all defined him clearly as the standard-bearer for Thai conservatism.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
The English post-punk group fronted by Robert Smith is the standard-bearer for the moody subgenre known as goth, and the band last released an album of new work in 2008.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
Her uncle sent a standard-bearer ahead of them, a double banner flying from his staff; the moon-and-falcon of House Arryn on high, and below it his own black fish.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
