Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pointman
noun
/ˈpɔɪnt.mən/

Definition
A soldier or police officer who leads the way in a patrol or mission and is responsible for detecting any danger or threats in advance.

Examples
- The pointman carefully navigated through the dense jungle to ensure the safety of his unit.
- As the team’s pointman, she was tasked with spotting any potential ambushes before they reached the main group.
- In a typical patrol, the pointman is crucial for the overall safety of the operation.

Meaning
The term refers to the first person in a group, especially in military or tactical contexts, who moves ahead to scout for risks.

Synonyms
- lead scout
- front man
- trailblazer