trailblazer

[treyl-bley-zer]

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for trailblazer

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

British Dictionary definitions for trailblazer

trailblazer

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

n.

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

trailblazer

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}trailblazer

Examples from the Web for trailblazer

Contemporary Examples

Can you be a trailblazer when no one has followed your trail?

When it comes to dystopian, young adult fiction, Lois Lowry was the trailblazer.

Several outlets compared him to Jackie Robinson as a trailblazer.

Trailblazer might sound like a made-up award, but at least Watson said something meaningful.

Credit, then, NYPD Blue creator Steven Bochco for being a trailblazer.

trailblazer

Word Origin and History for trailblazer

n.

Origin of trailblazer