cheerleader

1 of 2

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

cheerlead

2 of 2

verb, transitive + intransitive

cheer·​lead ˈchir-ˌlēd 

cheerleaded also cheerled ˈchir-ˌled  ; cheerleading; cheerleads

1

intransitive : to call for and direct organized cheering (as at a football game)

Only in its second year of existence, the Jr. Hurricanes cheerlead at football games played by elementary and middle school boys.

—Robert Storace, New Britain (Connecticut) Herald, 19 Nov. 2012

2

transitive + intransitive : to express enthusiastic support for something or someone in an effort to gain support from others

The senate Hatch bill to create a national asbestos victim trust fund is being cheerleaded by Vice President Dick Cheney.

—Marshfield News (Wisconsin), 11 Feb. 2006

She would eventually cheerlead for the filmmakers who became her friends, involve herself in casting decisions, rhapsodically review "Nashville" months before it was finished …

—Janet Maslin, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2011

Examples of cheerleader in a Sentence

Noun

a politician who is a cheerleader for the government's new economic plan

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fans can also shop for Dolphins gear at the team store, grab a bite at food trucks on-site, and keep an eye out for Miami Dolphins cheerleaders and alumni for photos and autographs. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

In the 2006 film, Panettiere and Solange starred as two rival high school cheerleaders who end up on the same cheer squad after Panettiere’s Britney moves to the same school as Solange’s Camille. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Panettiere featured as the virtually invincible high school cheerleader Claire Bennet on the series across four seasons. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Fuller wrote for the first season of Heroes, playing an instrumental role in shaping one of the actress’ most iconic roles — the indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet. — Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb, transitive + intransitive

back-formation from cheerleader

First Known Use

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined above

Verb, Transitive + Intransitive

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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