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Definition of pioneer : 1. A soldier detailed or employed to form roads, dig trenches, and make bridges, as an army advances.
2. One who goes before, as into the wilderness, preparing the way for others to follow; as, pioneers of civilization; pioneers of reform.
3. To go before, and prepare or open a way for; to act as pioneer.

Synonyms:

start, early, initial, induct, open up, make, builder, lead up, groundbreaker, experimental, developer, open, initiate, broach, originate, contributor, untried, creator, brave, innovator

establish, found, settle, explore, colonize

forerunner, antecessor, originator, mother, avant-garde, antecedent, precursor, harbinger, predecessor, prototype, scout, trailblazer, forebear, founder, foreshadower, ancestor, precedent

forerun, antedate, predate, head off, precede, introduce, anticipate, lead, foreshadow, antecede, trail-blaze

Usage examples:

• But it may ascertain what he aimed at doing, and then do it with a degree of perfection which he, the pioneer, could never hope to attain. - "Plays by August Strindberg, Second series", August Strindberg.
• So when Martyn started as pioneer on the morning before the others arrived, he descended into Beachharbour later than he intended, but still he was in time to meet Anne Fordyce, a tall, bright- faced girl of fourteen, taking her after- lessons turn on the parade with a governess, who looked amazed as the two met, holding out both hands to one another, with eager joy and welcome. - "Chantry House", Charlotte M. Yonge.
• Gutzaleff, a famous Protestant pioneer, landed on an island at Basil's Bay, in 1832, and remained there a month, distributing Chinese literature. - "Korea's Fight for Freedom", F.A. McKenzie.