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 Word Forms

• unpioneering 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

Google's President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat told BBC News in an exclusive interview that there were "profound opportunities in the UK" for its "pioneering work in advanced science".

From BBC

She approaches the American experiment from myriad angles, drawing on protagonists such as Jane Franklin, Ben Franklin’s precocious sister, and the Simulmatics Corp., whose pioneering computer algorithms still shape our reality.

From Los Angeles Times

The Janet Harvey Hall, named after a pioneering female electrician, is large enough for two frigates to be built simultaneously.

From BBC

He came out as gay at the same time, going on to upend hip-hop with his LGBT-positive lyrics while also pioneering new ways of promoting his music online.

From BBC

On this late July morning at Studio 1 Culver, Tap begins its promotional duties for the long-awaited sequel to 1984’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” the documentary that unwittingly revitalized the pioneering metal group’s career.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advanced 
• ahead of its time www.thesaurus.com
• experimental 
• groundbreaking 
• innovative 
• innovatory www.thesaurus.com
• inventive 
• modern 
• new 
• original 
• progressive 
• revolutionary 
• state-of-the-art 
• trailblazing www.thesaurus.com
• ultramodern 
• unorthodox