cheerleader

noun

cheer·​lead·​er ˈchir-ˌlē-dər How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
: one that calls for and directs organized cheering (as at a football game)
cheerlead verb, transitive + intransitive
cheerleading noun

Examples of cheerleader in a Sentence

a politician who is a cheerleader for the government's new economic plan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Election Day neared, Judge Schimel transformed himself into the president’s chief cheerleader. Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 Musk plowed hundreds of millions of dollars into the MAGA campaign and has become perhaps Trump’s biggest cheerleader on the campaign trail. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025 Every 17, 18-year-old girl wants to be a professional cheerleader. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Gonzalez also competes with the flag football team and has been a cheerleader at Archbishop McCarthy. Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cheerleader

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheerleader was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cheerleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheerleader. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cheerleader

noun
cheer·​lead·​er ˈchi(ə)r-ˌlēd-ər How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
: a person who leads organized cheering (as at a football or basketball game)
cheerlead verb
cheerleading noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cheerleader

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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