pacesetter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Journalistic, Business
Quick answer
What does “pacesetter” mean?
A person or organization that establishes the fastest or best standard that others try to match or follow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or organization that establishes the fastest or best standard that others try to match or follow.
An entity (person, group, company, product, or movement) that leads the way in a particular field, setting trends, benchmarks, or standards of excellence, quality, or speed that others then attempt to emulate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in meaning and register. The hyphenated form 'pace-setter' is more common in British English, while 'pacesetter' as one word is preferred in American English.
Connotations
Identical; carries the same positive connotation of leadership and exemplary performance in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in business and sports journalism in both regions. No significant frequency disparity.
Grammar
How to Use “pacesetter” in a Sentence
[NP] is a/the pacesetter[NP] acts as a pacesetter for [NP][NP] has become the pacesetter in [field][NP] serves as a pacesetterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pacesetter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company aims to paceset new standards in sustainable manufacturing.
- They have consistently paceset the agenda for reform.
American English
- The firm continues to paceset innovation in the sector.
- Her research team pacesets the field in genomic studies.
adverb
British English
- The team ran pacesetterly for the first half of the race. (Extremely rare/awkward)
- They innovated pacesetterly, leaving competitors behind. (Extremely rare/awkward)
American English
- He performed pacesetterly, breaking all previous records. (Extremely rare/awkward)
- The product was developed pacesetterly. (Extremely rare/awkward)
adjective
British English
- Their pacesetter role in the market is unquestioned.
- We need a pacesetter strategy to stay ahead.
American English
- The company's pacesetter technology gives it a key advantage.
- She has a pacesetter mentality that inspires the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a company that leads in innovation, market share, or practices (e.g., 'The tech giant remains the pacesetter for the entire industry.').
Academic
Used in economics, management, and sociology to describe leading entities in research, policy, or theoretical development.
Everyday
Less common, but used in discussions about sports, fashion, or local community initiatives (e.g., 'She's the pacesetter in our running club.').
Technical
Used in athletics for a runner who sets the speed in a race, especially in middle- and long-distance events.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pacesetter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pacesetter”
- Confusing 'pacesetter' with 'pacemaker' (the heart device).
- Using it to describe someone who simply works fast, rather than one who establishes a *standard* for others.
- Incorrect plural: 'pacesetters' (correct), not 'pacesetter' for plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'pacesetter' is a person or entity that sets a standard for others to follow, used broadly in business, sports, and culture. A 'pacemaker' primarily refers to a medical device for the heart, but in athletics, it can be synonymous with a runner who sets the pace (though 'pacesetter' is clearer to avoid the medical connotation).
Rarely. It is almost exclusively positive, implying admirable leadership. A negative twist would require explicit context (e.g., 'a pacesetter in unethical practices').
Yes, it is more common in formal, journalistic, and business contexts than in casual everyday conversation, where 'leader' or 'trendsetter' might be used instead.
Absolutely. A pioneering technology (e.g., a new chip, software, or engine) can be described as a pacesetter if it establishes a new performance benchmark that competitors must try to match.
A person or organization that establishes the fastest or best standard that others try to match or follow.
Pacesetter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪsˌsɛtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪsˌsɛt̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set the pace”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RUNNER in a race who SETS the PACE for everyone else. A 'pace-setter' literally sets the pace.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADERSHIP IS BEING AT THE FRONT OF A RACE / INNOVATION IS SETTING THE SPEED.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, which of the following is the BEST synonym for 'pacesetter'?