trailblazer

[ treyl-bley-zer ]

noun

1. a person who blazes blaze a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness; pathfinder.
2. a pioneer in any field of endeavor:

   a trailblazer in science.

trailblazer

/ ˈtreɪlˌbleɪzə /

noun

1. a leader or pioneer in a particular field
2. a person who blazes a trail

Derived Forms

• ˈtrailˌblazing, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trailblazer¹

First recorded in 1905–10; trail + blaze ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Ginsburg was a trailblazer in every aspect of her life and career.

From No Straight News

Another on the short list is Judge Barbara Lagoa, 52, who serves on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, a trailblazer from Florida who is of Cuban descent.

From Ozy

A true trailblazer for women’s rights in the workplace and out of it, Ginsburg had a razor sharp view of the world and how to live in it.

From Quartz

The concept of the book is that young, single women have been trailblazers, taking risks, and changing the world for decades.

From Fortune

This is the story of that trading operation, which was seen as a respected trailblazer on Wall Street, and is based on interviews with people in the industry during Madoff’s day, as well as books and articles about the events.

From Quartz

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

They will financially support their long-awaited trailblazer far past his playing days.

From The Daily Beast

Several outlets compared him to Jackie Robinson as a trailblazer.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• wanderer