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pioneer

Pronunciation: /pʌɪəˈnɪə/

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Definition of pioneer

noun

a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.
a person who is among the first to research and develop a new area of knowledge or activity:a famous pioneer of birth control
(in the former Soviet Union and other communist countries) a member of a children’s movement that aimed to foster communist ideals.
a member of an infantry group preparing roads or terrain for the main body of troops.
(in Ireland) a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, a Catholic temperance society.

verb

[with object]

develop or be the first to use or apply (a new method, area of knowledge, or activity):the technique was pioneered by a Swiss doctor in the 1930s
open up (a road or terrain) as a pioneer.

Origin:

early 16th century (as a military term denoting a member of the infantry): from French pionnier 'foot soldier, pioneer', Old French paonier, from paon, from Latin pedo, pedon- (see pawn¹)

pioneer in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pioneer in the US English dictionary

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