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

While the cast racked up numerous nominations, two actors ended up being their own best cheerleaders. — ABC News, 8 July 2026

Not everyone in 2026 may be excited with a flight simulator that serves as a cheerleader for America. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Gemma has always been one of her brother’s biggest cheerleaders, and during the first night of his residency, Harry shouted her out for her support. — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Beyond being cheerleaders, Gutierrez also hopes the event will help fans feel unified, despite being thousands of miles away from home. — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 3 July 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

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