standard-bearer

noun

stan·​dard-bear·​er ˈstan-dərd-ˌber-ər How to pronounce standard-bearer (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To Kieran Trippier: The standard-bearer and setter of standards. George Caulkin, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 Growing up in Long Beach, she was fed a steady diet of such standard-bearers as Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic standard-bearer, was years past her time on the public payroll as secretary of state and, before that, senator from New York. Joshua Spivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 With a resume including two NBA Finals appearances, three All-Star Game invitations and two Olympic gold medals, Bam Adebayo didn’t necessarily need to set a franchise record to validate his status as a standard-bearer for Heat culture. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for standard-bearer

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of standard-bearer was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Standard-bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standard-bearer. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on standard-bearer

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