standard-bearer

noun

stan·​dard-bear·​er ˈstan-dərd-ˌber-ər 

1

: one who bears a standard or banner

2

: one that leads an organization, movement, or party

a standard-bearer for political reform

Examples of standard-bearer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The president's 2024 re-election campaign says Biden hauled in $8.1 million at a fundraiser where he was joined by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and former Sen. Hillary Clinton, who was the Democrats' 2016 standard-bearer. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 19 June 2024

The allegations may also end up reflecting on the paper’s own reputation as a standard-bearer for American journalism. —Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 16 June 2024

The standard-bearer of that group was world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who in 1967 was sentenced to prison for refusing induction based on a mix of his Muslim faith and his country’s racial injustice. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024

How has Germany become a standard-bearer of stability and democracy? —Brandon Tensley, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

standard-bearer

noun

stan·​dard-bear·​er

ˈstan-dərd-ˌbar-ər,

-ˌber-

1

: one who bears a standard or banner

2

: the leader of an organization or movement