noun
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a leader or pioneer in a particular field
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a person who blazes a trail
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Nouns
Etymology
Origin of trailblazer
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How does trailblazer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A trailblazer is a person who's the first to do something, whether it's marking a new path through the woods or discovering a cure for cancer. A literal trailblazer blazes, or marks, trails in the wilderness. She does this by making marks or signs on trees and rocks at regular distances along a trail in order to help other hikers find their way. Figurative trailblazers can also be called pioneers or groundbreakers. These are innovators who make strides in fields like science, medicine, or education.
Vocabulary lists containing trailblazer
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"In Defense of a Liberal Education" by Fareed Zakaria
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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.
See Examples For:
Margaret Hamilton was a trailblazer in her field, leading the team who developed the software for Nasa's Apollo missions, which coined the term "software engineering".
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
She was a courageous and talented trailblazer for country music at a time when women were not taken seriously in the industry, especially as solo artists.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji was mourned on Tuesday with lowered flags and social media commemorations, ahead of a funeral for the reforming trailblazer who died last week at 97.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Speakers blamed the media for causing Arday’s death and defended his legacy as a trailblazer for other aspiring Black academics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Some people thought Izzy dressed "weird," but I thought she was a trailblazer.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Amid the uncertainty, longevity doctors view themselves—and their patients—as trailblazers.
From Barron's ● May 21, 2026
"This exhibition not only honours his legacy but also reconnects Birmingham with one of its most significant cultural trailblazers," said Melanie Williams, from Colmore.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
Moyes said that Arsenal have been the trailblazers for these "dark arts".
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
Now ahead of the American ice dance trailblazers in one category, Chock and Bates are still trying to catch Davis and White in another.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2026
This new initiative would be composed of American trailblazers in women’s sports who embody and support the secretary and department’s efforts to empower women and girls globally through sport.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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.
