pioneer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one the first colonists or settlers in a new territory

   they went west as pioneers with only the possessions they could carry with them

2. 2
   verb

   open up and explore a new area

   pioneer space

3. 3
   verb

   open up an area or prepare a way

   I pioneered a graduate program for low income students.

4. 4
   noun

   A person or other entity who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress.

   Some people will consider their national heroes to be pioneers of civilization.

5. 5
   noun

   A soldier detailed or employed to form roads, dig trenches, and make bridges, as an army advances; a sapper.

   [King of] Fess. What thinks your greatnes beſt to be atchieu’d In purſuit of the Cities ouerthrow? Bai[azeth]. I wil the captiue Pioners of Argier, Cut off the water, that by leaden pipes Runs to the citie from the mountain Carnon, […]

6. 6
   noun

   Alternative letter-case form of Pioneer (“A Singaporean born on or before 31 December 1949, who is entitled to various healthcare and social support schemes.”).

   Perhaps the pioneer generation, having experienced unity in solidarity, will show the rest of Singapore the way.

7. 7
   verb

   To be the first to do or achieve (something), preparing the way for others to follow.

   The young doctor pioneered a new life-saving surgical technique.

8. 8
   noun

   A person born on or before 31 December 1949 and possessing Singapore citizenship on or before 31 December 1986, given this status and certain benefits to recognise their contributions to Singapore's early development.

   Now they are trying hard, working hard, in trying to "give back" […] to the older people classified as "pioneer generations" […]

Etymology

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