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

Dodgers star Mookie Betts is welcomed to the court during the celebrity all-star game by the Clippers cheerleaders at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on Friday. —Ronaldo Bolaños, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026

Where are all the City of Yes cheerleaders who pushed for build, build, build? —Roberta Brandes Gratz, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026

Both schools brought their bands, cheerleaders and mascots. —ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026

Palos South cheerleaders win competition The Palos South Middle School Cardinal cheer team came out on top at the 2026 Middle School Matchup cheerleading competition last month at Old Quarry Middle School in Lemont, earning first place of eight teams in the small junior high division. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026

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