go-ahead

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgō-ə-ˌhed 

1

: marked by energy and enterprise : progressive

a vigorous go-ahead company

2

: indicating that one may proceed

go-ahead signal

3

: being a score that gives a team the lead in a game

drove in the go-ahead run

go-ahead

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: energy, spirit

b

: one possessing go-ahead

2

: a sign, signal, or authority to proceed : green light

Synonyms of go-ahead

Noun

• powerhouse

Examples of go-ahead in a Sentence

Noun

a born go-ahead, he was determined to be the first in his family to graduate from college

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Michael Massey hit a go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on Sunday. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

This time, Royals second baseman Michael Massey offered some late-game heroics with a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. — Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

Noun

And, finally, Beck breaking free on a run to his left, no defender in sight, for a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Following Siakam’s go-ahead basket, Derrick White missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have given the Celtics the win. — Jay King, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for go-ahead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead