trailblazer

noun

trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrāl-ˌblā-zər How to pronounce trailblazer (audio)
Synonyms of trailblazer
1
: pioneer sense 2
a trailblazer in astrophysics
2
: one that blazes a trail to guide others : pathfinder

Examples of trailblazer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
California has long prided itself as a regulatory trailblazer, whether to preserve its coastline, reduce air pollution, protect gig workers, ensure data privacy or battle climate change. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Bluegrass trailblazers the Stanley Brothers, Carter and Ralph Stanley, were inducted in the veteran era artist category. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 Fashion obsessives will remember that Nicole Kidman was the Vivaia ballet sneaker travel-day trailblazer, wearing a pair to Sydney Airport earlier this year. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 14 Oct. 2026 The City Council has the opportunity to continue our city’s legacy as a trailblazer for workers’ rights and serve as a model for the rest of the nation by passing the Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Places of Employment Ordinance. — Maria Hadden, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trailblazer

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trailblazer was in 1908

Rhymes for trailblazer

See All Rhymes for trailblazer

Browse Nearby Words

trail bike
trailblazer
trailblazing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trailblazer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trailblazer. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

trailblazer

noun
trail·​blaz·​er ˈtrā(ə)l-ˌblā-zər How to pronounce trailblazer (audio)
: someone who prepares the way for others who follow: as
a
: pathfinder
b
: pioneer entry 1 sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on trailblazer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trailblazer

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All