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Added 9 October 2026

pioneer

/ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪə(ɹ)/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pioneer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art.
One of the first colonists or settlers in a new territory.
they went west as pioneers with only the possessions they could carry with them

verb

Open up an area or prepare a way.
She pioneered a graduate program for women students
Take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of.
This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants
Open up and explore a new area.
pioneer space

Origin

From Middle French pionnier (“originally, a foot soldier”), Old French peonier, from peon (“a foot soldier”) (modern French: pion). See pawn (in chess).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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