a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others.

one who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress

pioneers in cancer research.

one of a group of foot soldiers detailed to make roads, dig intrenchments, etc., in advance of the main body.

Ecology . an organism that successfully establishes itself in a barren area, thus starting an ecological cycle of life.

( initial capital letter ) Aerospace . one of a series of U.S. space probes that explored the solar system and transmitted scientific information to earth.

( initial capital letter ) (formerly) a member of a Communist organization in the Soviet Union for children ranging in age from 10 to 16. Compare Komsomol , Octobrist .

to act as a pioneer.

to be the first to open or prepare (a way, settlement, etc.).

to take part in the beginnings of; initiate

to pioneer an aid program.

to lead the way for (a group); guide.

being the earliest, original, first of a particular kind, etc.

a pioneer method of adult education.

of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pioneers

pioneer justice.

being a pioneer

a pioneer fur trader.

adjective

following , last , late , later

adjective

avant-garde , brave , experimental , head , inaugural , initial , lead , original , primary , prime , earliest , maiden , primordial

noun

colonist , colonizer , developer , explorer , founder , frontier settler , guide , homesteader , immigrant , innovator , leader , pathfinder , pilgrim , scout , settler , squatter , trailblazer , contributor , creator

verb

begin , colonize , create , develop , discover , establish , explore , found , go out in front , initiate , instigate , institute , launch , map out , open up , originate , prepare , show the way , spearhead * , start , take the lead , trailblaze , colonist , experimental , explorer , first , initial , innovator , invent , original , pathfinder , pilgrim , settler , trailblazer