pioneer
pi·o·neer / ˌpīəˈnir/ • n. a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area. ∎ a person who is among the first to research and develop a new area of knowledge or activity: a famous pioneer of birth control. ∎ (in the former USSR and other communist countries) a member of a movement for children below the age of sixteen that aimed to foster communist ideals. ∎ a member of an infantry group preparing roads or terrain for the main body of troops. ∎ (also pioneer species) a plant or animal that establishes itself in an unoccupied area.• v. [tr.] develop or be the first to use or apply (a new method, area of knowledge, or activity): he has pioneered a number of innovative techniques. ∎ open up (a road or terrain) as a pioneer.
