The Pacer is a term that most broadly refers to an individual or entity that sets the rate or speed for others to follow. Beyond this general definition, "The Pacer" or variations of "Pacer" serve as the specific name for several notable entities across various fields:
- Indiana Pacers: A professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Eastern Conference Central Division. Established in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the Pacers joined the NBA in 1976 as part of the ABA–NBA merger.
- AMC Pacer: A compact automobile produced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1975 to 1980. Distinguished by its unusual and futuristic design for its time, featuring a wide body, large glass area, and asymmetrical door lengths (the passenger door being longer than the driver's). It was marketed as "the first wide small car."
- The Pacer (newspaper): The official student newspaper of the University of Tennessee at Martin. Founded in 1928, it provides news, features, and opinion pieces relevant to the university campus and its community. The name "The Pacer" or simply "Pacer" is also adopted by student newspapers and athletic teams at other educational institutions.
- Pacer (animal): In the context of equine sports, a "pacer" refers to a horse bred or trained to perform a pacing gait, a lateral two-beat gait where both legs on the same side of the body move forward simultaneously. This gait is distinct from a trot and is commonly seen in harness racing.