cheerleader

noun

cheer·​lead·​er ˈchir-ˌlē-dər 

: one that calls for and directs organized cheering (as at a football game)

cheerlead

ˈchir-ˌlēd 

verb, transitive + intransitive

cheerleading

ˈchir-ˌlē-diŋ 

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

What Jamie Dimon, Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and other business leaders say about Bitcoin While some are cryptocurrency cheerleaders, others are highly skeptical By Start Slideshow Start Slideshow Cryptocurrency is gaining mainstream acceptance with each passing day. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 14 Jan. 2025

In other game entertainment news, L.A. hip-hop star Xzibit will perform at halftime alongside Rams cheerleaders, while Warren G will hit the field for a special third-quarter performance. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025

Stockard is a nursing student and former cheerleader at Auburn University, according to social media posts. —Allison Kiehl, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025

Jones also appeared in the 2024 documentary series about the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cheerleader

noun

cheer·​lead·​er ˈchi(ə)r-ˌlēd-ər 

: a person who leads organized cheering (as at a football or basketball game)

cheerlead

-ˌlēd 

verb

cheerleading

-ˌlē-diŋ 

noun