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.
“Portlandia,” Netflix Plenty of comedies are set in or around Seattle, as if the city is the Pacific Northwest’s standard-bearer.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026
That's because unlike most other states -- where each party has its own election to choose a standard-bearer -- California has a so-called "jungle primary" that pits all-comers against each other.
From Barron's ● May 5, 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
His standard-bearer rode to the edge of the moat to hail the men in the gatehouse.
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.
