torchbearer

American

[tawrch-bair-er] / ˈtɔrtʃˌbɛər ər /

noun

a person who carries a torch.
a leader in a movement, campaign, etc..

a torchbearer of democracy.

torchbearer British

/ ˈtɔːtʃˌbɛərə /

noun

a person or thing that carries a torch
a person who leads or inspires

"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

Etymology

Origin of torchbearer

First recorded in 1530–40; torch ¹ + bearer

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.

Thousands of people waiting in a rainy Piazza del Duomo cheered as torchbearer Nicoletta Manni, an Italian ballerina, carried it into the square, over an hour behind schedule.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Fauja Singh was a torchbearer at the 2012 London Olympics and set eight age-group world records in one day.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025

A torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, Singh clocked several milestones during his running career, including reportedly becoming the first centenarian to complete a full marathon in 2011 in Toronto.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

The first torchbearer will be Greek rower Stefanos Douskos, a gold medalist in 2021 in Tokyo.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 15, 2024

Was it Anya’s imagination, or did Håkon look like this torchbearer who barked questions at them?

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

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