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

Detloff was a graduate of Glenbard North High School and a freshman student and cheerleader at North Central College in Naperville. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

The parent company of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is taking legal action against rock band My Chemical Romance after dancers at a concert wore costumes resembling the cheerleaders’ iconic two piece-blue and white uniforms. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026

For the mystery, Ashton has divided the cheerleaders into six teams, each receiving a case file filled with clues. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026

Cowboys cheerleader Abby Summers was asked on her Instagram ahead of last night's game. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

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