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

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

That interception set the Bengals up deep in Browns territory for a go-ahead field goal from Evan McPherson. —Mike Straw, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Just like that, Denver’s ferocious defensive front had turned a go-ahead scoring opportunity for the Titans into a punt. —Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

After Xaverian missed a go-ahead 36-yard field goal attempt to end the third, Staine decided to begin the fourth and final quarter with one of his signature Hail Mary shots. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

Liam Hicks recorded a go-ahead single against Orion Kerkering before the visitors tacked on an insurance run on a fielder’s choice. —Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

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