pioneer

name

1. A census-designated place in Amador County, California, United States.
2. A planning area in the West Region of Singapore.
3. A locality in Dorset council area, north eastern Tasmania, Australia.

noun

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

1. One who goes before, as into the wilderness, preparing the way for others to follow.
2. 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.”

   “Certain politicians can be considered as pioneers of reform.”

3. 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, […]”

4. A member of any of several European organizations advocating abstinence from alcohol.
5. A member of a children’s organization operated by the Communist Party, typically in the second of three stages toward becoming a member of the Party itself.
6. 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.”

   “A fenceless open-air museum […] that captures the spirit and struggles of Singapore's pioneer generation.”

verb

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

1. 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.”