go-ahead

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgō-ə-ˌhed 

1

: marked by energy and enterprise : progressive

a vigorous go-ahead company

2

: indicating that one may proceed

go-ahead signal

3

: being a score that gives a team the lead in a game

drove in the go-ahead run

go-ahead

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: energy, spirit

b

: one possessing go-ahead

2

: a sign, signal, or authority to proceed : green light

Synonyms

Noun

• powerhouse

Examples of go-ahead in a Sentence

Noun

a born go-ahead, he was determined to be the first in his family to graduate from college

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the playoff matchup between these two came down to the wire, with Matthew Stafford nearly driving the Rams to a late go-ahead touchdown before a couple of huge plays by Philly DT Jalen Carter preserved the win. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

After Seattle took a late lead, Royals second baseman Adam Frazier reclaimed it with a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025

Noun

After Xaverian missed a go-ahead 36-yard field goal attempt to end the third, Staine decided to begin the fourth and final quarter with one of his signature Hail Mary shots. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

Liam Hicks recorded a go-ahead single against Orion Kerkering before the visitors tacked on an insurance run on a fielder’s choice. —Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for go-ahead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead