initiative; pioneering; taking the lead
Often used in the phrase 先鞭をつける (to take the initiative, to be the first to do something). Conveys a sense of being ahead of others in a field or endeavor.
He pioneered research in this field.
More companies are taking the lead in developing new technologies.
Standard kanji form; the character 鞭 (whip) is not a Jōyō kanji, but the compound is well-established in news and formal writing.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling used when 鞭 is difficult to write or read; common in newspapers and general publications.
From Chinese 先鞭 (xiānbiān), literally 'first whip', meaning to be the first to spur one's horse forward, hence to take the lead. The Japanese reading せんべん is the on'yomi of the characters.