spearhead

1 of 2

noun

spear·​head ˈspir-ˌhed 

1

: the sharp-pointed head of a spear

2

: a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development

spearhead

2 of 2

verb

spearheaded; spearheading; spearheads

transitive verb

: to serve as leader or leading element of

Synonyms

Verb

• lead
• command

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Noun

Her book was the spearhead of the clean water movement.

Verb

She spearheaded the campaign for better schools.

The movement was spearheaded by the teachers' union.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the biggest wild card that’s helping these corporate enabling functions become the spearheads of enterprise-wide AI adoption is workflow integration. —Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

The spearhead of the British Invasion. —Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025

Verb

Wiggins is also responsible for spearheading award-winning projects. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025

DeSantis has also taken frequent jabs at Perez, whose chamber has probed state spending under the governor’s leadership and investigated a charity spearheaded by his wife. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spearhead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

spearhead

1 of 2 noun

spear·​head -ˌhed 

1

: the head or point of a spear

2

: a person, thing, or group that is the leading force (as in a development or attack)

spearhead

2 of 2 verb

: to serve as leader of

spearhead a campaign for better schools