trailblazer

[ treyl-bley-zer ]

/ ˈtreɪlˌbleɪ zər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR trailblazer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who blazes a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness; pathfinder.

a pioneer in any field of endeavor: a trailblazer in science.

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Nearby words

Origin of trailblazer

First recorded in 1905–10; trail + blaze² + -er¹

Also called trail·break·er

[treyl-brey-ker] /ˈtreɪlˌbreɪ kər/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trailblazer

Can you be a trailblazer when no one has followed your trail?
Joan Rivers's Trailblazing, Troubled, and Complicated Role in Late-Night TV|Kevin Fallon|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When it comes to dystopian, young adult fiction, Lois Lowry was the trailblazer.
A Trailblazer in YA Dystopian Fiction: An Interview With 'The Giver' Author Lois Lowry|Marianne Hayes|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Several outlets compared him to Jackie Robinson as a trailblazer.
Jason Collins Gets Media Bear Hug as the NBA Player Comes Out as Gay|Howard Kurtz|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Trailblazer might sound like a made-up award, but at least Watson said something meaningful.
MTV Movie Awards 2013 Best Moments: Rebel Wilson & More (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Credit, then, NYPD Blue creator Steven Bochco for being a trailblazer.
The 'Reign' Steamy Stairwell Shocker & TV’s 13 Dirtiest Sex Scenes (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|October 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for trailblazer

trailblazer

/ (ˈtreɪlˌbleɪzə) /

noun

a leader or pioneer in a particular field

a person who blazes a trail

Derived Formstrailblazing, adjective, noun

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

Word Origin and History for trailblazer

trailblazer

by 1893, from trail (n.) + agent noun from blaze (2).