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

In 2006, Lamont was a largely unknown businessman opposed to the war in Iraq and U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman’s role as a cheerleader for President George W. Bush and his decision to invade Iraq. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025

While Venus is in Taurus, keep a cheerleader or two around as confidence boosters! —Usa Today, USA Today, 4 July 2025

With Trump back in office, Abbott is poised to morph from chief critic of federal immigration to chief cheerleader. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Monterrey’s bench stood and watched a portion of the second half like cheerleaders as manager Domenec Torrent urged his side forward. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 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