standard-bearers
|stan-dard-bear-ers|
🇺🇸
/ˈstændərdˌbɛrər/
🇬🇧
/ˈstændədˌbeərə/
(standard-bearer)
carrier or leading representative of a banner/cause
Etymology
'standard-bearer' originates from a compound of two words: 'standard' (from Old French 'estandart', meaning 'banner' or 'flag') and 'bearer' (from Old English 'berere', from Proto-Germanic '*beraną', meaning 'to carry').
'standard' passed into Middle English from Old French 'estandart' (originally a Germanic/Frankish loan), while 'bearer' comes from Old English 'berere' (from 'beran'). The two elements combined in Middle English as compounds like 'standardbere'/'standardbere' and eventually became the modern English 'standard-bearer'.
Initially, the term referred specifically to a person who literally carried a banner or flag. Over time it developed a figurative sense of 'leading representative' or 'champion' of a cause, which is common in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who literally carries a standard or flag, especially in a military, ceremonial, or parade context.
The standard-bearers marched at the front of the procession, holding the flags high.
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Noun 2
a leading representative or prominent supporter of a movement, cause, party, or idea; a champion or symbol of that cause.
The two activists became standard-bearers for the environmental campaign.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 09:38