pace-setter
One others follow
A pace-setter establishes the speed or standard others follow.
In racing, the pace-setter leads the field, determining how fast everyone runs.
More broadly, a pace-setter is any person, company, or thing that sets trends or standards: Apple has been the pace-setter in smartphone design.
Also spelled pacesetter.
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- leaderOne who guides others
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
trendsetter · bellwether · forerunner · pathfinder · standard-bearer · guide · captain · chief
Rate of musical performance
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- metronomeAdjustable beat-marking device
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- time-keeperOne who tracks duration
pulse · meter · timing · count · downbeat · syncopation · measure · groove
Long-eared lagomorph
- pacerTempo-setting individual or device
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- pelotonMain cycling group
breakaway · sprint · marathon · track · heat · relay · qualifying · circuit
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
- game-changerSomething transforming everything
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
revolutionary · trailblazing · first-mover · avant-garde · groundbreaking · trendsetting · forward-thinking · benchmark
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- leaderOne who guides others
visionary · trendsetter · bellwether · forerunner · pathfinder · standard-bearer · guide · captain · chief · director
tempo
Rate of musical performance
time-keeper · pulse · meter · timing · count · downbeat · syncopation · measure · groove · time-signature
rabbit
Long-eared lagomorph
- pacerTempo-setting individual or device
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
peloton · breakaway · sprint · marathon · track · heat · relay · qualifying · circuit · interval
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
- game-changerSomething transforming everything
pioneering · revolutionary · trailblazing · first-mover · avant-garde · groundbreaking · trendsetting · forward-thinking · benchmark · standard