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

Florida cheerleader found dead on Carnival cruise ship Last month, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a Florida high school senior, was found dead inside her family’s cabin aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Teresa can count on Jimmy to be her biggest cheerleader, rooting for her no matter what. —Partner Content, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025

To complete the experience, students had the chance to meet Tennessee Titans’ cheerleaders and mascot, T-Rac, and members of the Nashville Predators Energy Team on the red carpet to show off their new shoes and accessories. —Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025

Noah’s mother, Leah Karchin, an artist herself, is her son’s enthusiastic coach and cheerleader. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cheerleader

• proofreader
• ringleader
• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder

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