pioneer
py-uh-NEER
/ˌpaɪəˈnɪər/
To develop or be the first to use or apply a new method, area of knowledge, or activity.
Carries a sense of historical significance, exploration, and braving uncharted territory where no rules yet exist.
The story behind the word. In medieval warfare, a 'pionnier' was a foot soldier whose job was to dig trenches, clear forest paths, and prepare the way for the main army. Because they were always at the very front, clearing the wilderness, the word naturally evolved to mean anyone who ventures first into unexplored fields of science, art, or geography.
Word relationships
- innovate: Innovate means to introduce new methods or ideas to existing things, whereas pioneer emphasizes being the absolute first to explore or settle a new domain.
- originate: Originate focuses on the point of creation, while pioneer emphasizes the struggle and effort of establishing that creation for others to follow.
- follower: A follower adopts methods or enters territories that have already been established by pioneers.
Commonly confused with
- settler: A pioneer is the first to explore a new area, whereas a settler arrives later to establish permanent residency once the area is safe.
Word family
- pioneering (adjective): Involving new ideas or methods; groundbreaking.
Collocations
- pioneer a method
- pioneer research
- pioneer a field
- early pioneer
Example sentences
- "Marie Curie helped to pioneer the study of radioactivity, opening new doors for modern physics." A biographical note on a famous scientist.
- "The company was among the first to pioneer online streaming services in the late 1990s." An article about early internet technology.
Memory hook
A pioneer uses a 'pie' tin to pan for gold in 'near'by unexplored rivers. Pioneers clear the path so others can walk it.
When not to use
Do not use for someone who is simply improving an existing system slightly; it requires opening up a genuinely new path.
Fun facts
- In the game of chess, the 'pawn' shares the exact same linguistic root as 'pioneer'—both come from the Old French 'pion' (foot traveler).
Related words
Explore more words
innovate, cutting-edge, uncharted, avant-garde, unconventional, breakthrough
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