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 fact that Whitmer, a possible future national standard-bearer for the Democratic Party, sided with big restaurant corporations and the Chamber of Commerce to sign the wage and sick leave roll-back is shocking. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Center back: George Campbell, CF Montréal At this point, Colorado and Montréal have become the standard-bearers of taking underdeveloped players off of MLS rivals and giving them a better chance at regular minutes. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

China’s reticence to serve as the standard-bearer for Pyongyang is not new. —Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025

Geno’s Huskies were the standard-bearers of the sport, with a four-peat from 2012-16 and 11 championships since 1995. —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for standard-bearer

• bearer
• carer
• error
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer
• sharer
• terror
• wearer
• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer

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