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

The pair each blasted ninth-inning home runs, the former a game-tying solo shot and the latter a go-ahead, three-run blast, as the Minnesota Twins completed a stunning comeback to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 in front of 42,235 at Rogers Centre on a record-setting dollar hot dog night. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

San Marcos coach Tom Carroll shunned a tying kick, going for a go-ahead 2-point PAT. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025

Noun

Pribula ended up taking four sacks, including during the crucial drive that resulted in Norfleet’s go-ahead touchdown. —Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

This is a revenge game for Baltimore, which outgained the Bills by 143 yards in the playoff loss but committee three turnovers, one of which set up the Bills’ go-ahead field goal. —Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 6 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