pioneering

UK: /ˌpaɪəˈnɪə^rɪŋ/ US: /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pi•o•neer•ing /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrɪŋ/  adj. [usually: before a noun]

1. being the earliest in a field of study, activity, etc.:
   pioneering efforts in public health.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pi•o•neer /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/   n. [countable]

1. one who is among those who first enter or settle a region:
   the early pioneers in the western part of the U.S.
2. one who is among the earliest in a field of study:
   a pioneer in using computers to teach language.

v. 

3. to be the first to open or prepare (a way, etc.):
   [~ + object] pioneered the first settlement in that region.
4. to take part in the beginnings of (a field of study, an activity, etc.);
   initiate: [~ + object]
   pioneered the use of robots in manufacturing.
   [no object]
   pioneered in the development of robots in manufacturing.
5. to lead the way for (a group);
   guide.

adj. [before a noun]

6. being the first or earliest in some field of study, activity, etc.:
   a pioneer AIDS researcher.
7. of, relating to, or characteristic of pioneers:
   The people living in the cold northern regions of Japan have always had the pioneer spirit.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pi•o•neer  (pī′ə nēr′), n. 

1. a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others.
2. one who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress:
   pioneers in cancer research.
3. Military one of a group of foot soldiers detailed to make roads, dig intrenchments, etc., in advance of the main body.
4. [Ecol.] an organism that successfully establishes itself in a barren area, thus starting an ecological cycle of life.
5. Aerospace (cap.) one of a series of U.S. space probes that explored the solar system and transmitted scientific information to earth.
6. Government (cap.) (formerly) a member of a Communist organization in the Soviet Union for children ranging in age from 10 to 16. Cf. Komsomol, Octobrist. 

v.i. 

7. to act as a pioneer.

v.t. 

8. to be the first to open or prepare (a way, settlement, etc.).
9. to take part in the beginnings of;
   initiate:
   to pioneer an aid program.
10. to lead the way for (a group);
    guide.

adj. 

11. being the earliest, original, first of a particular kind, etc.:
    a pioneer method of adult education.
12. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pioneers:
    pioneer justice.
13. being a pioneer:
    a pioneer fur trader.

• Middle French pionier, Old French peonier foot soldier. See peon, -eer
• 1515–25

Synonyms

• 2. leader, trailblazer, forerunner, pathfinder.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pioneer / ˌpaɪəˈnɪə/ noun

1. a colonist, explorer, or settler of a new land, region, etc
2. (as modifier): a pioneer wagon
3. an innovator or developer of something new
4. a member of an infantry group that digs entrenchments, makes roads, etc
5. the first species of plant or animal to colonize an area of bare ground

verb

1. to be a pioneer (in or of)
2. (transitive) to initiate, prepare, or open up: to pioneer a medical programme

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French paonier infantryman, from paon pawn²; see also peon¹