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

Ochoa then told the cheerleader that their family had just moved to the area, where Mark is enrolled in a school for deaf children. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

And those yells are led by Yell Leaders—not cheerleaders. —Kristen Tribe, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

All of this was transpiring while the Massillon marching band and cheerleaders were now on the field for the ceremonial post-game playing of the school’s alma mater. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025

In 2024, the model and entrepreneur celebrated her two-year milestone with a heartfelt Instagram video featuring her biggest cheerleaders–her two children, son King and daughter Dream. —Essence, 8 Oct. 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