pioneering

[ pahy-uh-neer-ing ]

adjective

1. being a pioneer, one of the first to settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others:

   This early pioneering family helped open up western Victoria in Australia.

2. being among the first in any field of inquiry or activity; being among those spearheading an initiative of some kind:

   Ours is a pioneering institution, continually advancing the understanding of medicine through groundbreaking research.

3. Ecology. (of an organism) successfully establishing itself in a barren area, thus starting an ecological cycle of life:

   Pioneering species can initiate recovery on drastically disturbed sites like that of the former gas plant.

noun

1. the act or process of being a pioneer; the early settling of land, or the first forays into some type of activity:

   I read about that forward-thinking doctor in an article on the pioneering of in vitro fertilization.

Other Words From

• un·pi·o·neer·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pioneering¹

First recorded in 1700–10; pioneer ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; pioneer ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Lu and her team have been pioneering the development of small sensors that track bodily signals from the surface of human skin, a technology known as electronic tattoos, or e-tattoos.

From Science Daily

But in 1892, Charles Lummis — Los Angeles’ pioneering historian, ethnographer, and founder of the Southwest Museum — was writing furiously in The Times about the disgrace of Indian schools.

From Los Angeles Times

We don’t know whether Alanis read or cared about the Greeks, but she’s made hundreds of mentions of Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung and how his pioneering theories of analytical psychology deeply influence her songwriting.

From Salon

Hidden away in a mini aircraft hangar of sorts, just outside Bristol, inventor Stephen Fitzpatrick has spent seven years working on a pioneering aircraft that could be the basis of another solution.

From BBC

"I am proud to carry forward Professor Bhargava's golden legacy, ensuring his pioneering contributions to this field continue to inspire groundbreaking discoveries," Ojha said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• addition
• debut
• establishment
• inauguration
• influx
• initiation
• installation
• launch
• opening
• preface
• presentation