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

From there, Goff caught the ball on his second try and ran into the end zone for what looked like a go-ahead touchdown and an impressive trick play. —Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

George Frost and Teddy Fisher combined for a game-saving tackle during a go-ahead two-point try to preserve a wild 28-27 victory in the closing seconds. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Noun

Blue Jays utility player Ernie Clement atoned for an early base running mistake with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning to get the scoring started. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

After Weaver’s go-ahead touchdown run, time became a factor for the Jaguars, who are mostly a running team. —Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 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