cheer·lead·er
ˈchir-ˌlē-dər 
: one that calls for and directs organized cheering (as at a football game)
cheerlead
2 of 2verb, transitive + intransitive
cheer·lead
ˈchir-ˌlēd
cheerleaded also cheerled
ˈchir-ˌled
; cheerleading; cheerleads
; 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
Robert Storace, New Britain (Connecticut) Herald, 19 Nov. 20122
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
Marshfield News (Wisconsin), 11 Feb. 2006She 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
Janet Maslin, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2011Examples of cheerleader in a Sentence
Noun
a politician who is a cheerleader for the government's new economic plan
Recent Examples on the Web
Arushi Jacob, Variety, 8 June 2026
In addition to being a mom, Johansen is Haaland's number one cheerleader.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Indeed, his wife Marks and their daughter, Jordyn James, are his biggest cheerleaders whenever the athlete takes to the court.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Fishing for Fletcher brought in familiar faces from across town, including cheerleaders with the Minnesota Vikings.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheerleader
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Noun
Additional characters local to the town include a senior student, an ex-cheerleader, and a bartender.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 8 June 2026
In addition to being a mom, Johansen is Haaland's number one cheerleader.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Indeed, his wife Marks and their daughter, Jordyn James, are his biggest cheerleaders whenever the athlete takes to the court.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Fishing for Fletcher brought in familiar faces from across town, including cheerleaders with the Minnesota Vikings.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheerleader
Cite this Entry
“Cheerleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheerleader. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheerleader
noun
cheer·lead·er
ˈchi(ə)r-ˌlēd-ər
: a person who leads organized cheering (as at a football or basketball game)
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