spearhead

noun spear·head \ ˈspir-ˌhed \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of spearhead

1 : the sharp-pointed head of a spear

2 : a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development

See spearhead defined for English-language learners

See spearhead defined for kids

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Her book was the spearhead of the clean water movement.

Recent Examples of spearhead from the Web

The ancient spearheads will now be analyzed to determine the techniques used to manufacture them before going on display at the Regional Museum of Ica.

— aristos georgiou, Newsweek, "Hundreds of 12,000-year-old Spearheads and Arrowheads Found in Peru by Archaeologists," 14 Mar. 2018
Archaeologists have discovered more than 150 ancient spearheads in the south of Peru, dating between 9,000 and 12,000 years old.

— aristos georgiou, Newsweek, "Hundreds of 12,000-year-old Spearheads and Arrowheads Found in Peru by Archaeologists," 14 Mar. 2018
They have been criticized as singing, dancing spearheads of a strategic North Korean propaganda campaign at the Games.

— andrew keh, New York Times, "A Night Out With North Korea’s Cheerleaders: Matching Snowsuits, Military Discipline and Chaperoned Bathroom Trips," 12 Feb. 2018
The Czech national team were actually ranked SECOND in the world going into the 2006 World Cup, and Koller was the spearhead.

— SI.com, "8 Large Men Chelsea Could Sign at Centre Forward After Andy Carroll & Peter Crouch Speculation," 19 Jan. 2018
In fact, in terms of geostrategic influence, Iranian investment in Syria – billions of dollars and hundreds killed – is the spearhead that has allowed Iranian influence to spread.

— scott peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, "How Iran, the Mideast's new superpower, is expanding its footprint across the region – and what it means," 18 Dec. 2017
In the 1930s, projectile points resembling spearheads and other hunting paraphernalia were found in an archaeological site nearby, dating from around 13,000 years ago.

— adam rutherford, The Atlantic, "A New History of the First Peoples in the Americas," 3 Oct. 2017
The spearhead is attached to a rope, which is essential for pulling up a massive fish fighting for its life.

— julia kramer, Bon Appetit, "Spears, Beers, and Caviar: Fishing for Sturgeon in Wisconsin," 6 Feb. 2017
Green, on behalf of Centene Corporation, a health care business, has been a spearhead of the company’s Strong Youth, Strong Communities (SYSC) program.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "Redskins legend Darrell Green bares his painful past to help students," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spearhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of spearhead

14th century

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

spearhead

verb

Definition of spearhead

transitive verb

: to serve as leader or leading element of

See spearhead defined for English-language learners

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

She spearheaded the campaign for better schools.
The movement was spearheaded by the teachers' union.

Recent Examples of spearhead from the Web

Moreover, a match between two sides who are spearheaded by Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero respectively surely promises goals aplenty.

— SI.com, "Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City Preview: Recent Form, Team News, Key Battle & More," 13 Apr. 2018
The new capital campaign will be spearheaded by James Gress, who joined Covenant House Florida 33 years ago and became executive director in 2003.

— marcia heroux pounds, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Covenant House launches $10 million campaign under new leadership," 11 Apr. 2018
The searches were spearheaded by the FBI's public corruption unit.

— CBS News, "Michael Cohen search warrant documents mentioned Trump by name," 11 Apr. 2018
The project is spearheaded by three investors: Jim Costello of J&J Building, Frank Starkey of People Places LLC and Rinehart of Civitas Consulting.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Work starting on downtown Winter Garden mixed-use building," 4 Apr. 2018
The activists say they were spearheaded by the wave of protests over Confederate monuments across the U.S. in the last year.

— Fox News, "After Confederate statue controversy, cities move to tear down monuments seen as offensive to Native Americans," 2 Apr. 2018
Two days later, Spurs players held a meeting that was reportedly spearheaded by Parker and revolved around getting answers from Leonard about his injury.

— aj neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "Ex-Spurs forward Stephen Jackson: I 'wouldn't be surprised' if Kawhi Leonard wants out," 29 Mar. 2018
The team’s starting rotation is spearheaded by Ureña, who battled just to make the roster a year ago before a solid first year as a full-time starter (14-7, 3.82 ERA).

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "The reinvention plan takes its first step. Will the Marlins exceed expectations? | Miami Herald," 28 Mar. 2018
The movement is spearheaded by survivors of the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people.

— michael boren, Philly.com, "March for Our Lives in Philadelphia: Road closures, travel details for gun control rally," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of spearhead

1937

spearhead Synonyms

SPEARHEAD Defined for English Language Learners

spearhead

noun

Definition of spearhead for English Language Learners

: a person, thing, or group that organizes or leads something (such as a movement or attack)

spearhead

verb

Definition of spearhead for English Language Learners

: to be the leader of (something, such as a political movement)

SPEARHEAD Defined for Kids

spearhead

noun spear·head \ ˈspir-ˌhed \

Definition of spearhead for Students

1 : the head or point of a spear

2 : the person, thing, or group that is the leading force (as in a development or an attack)

spearhead

verb

Definition of spearhead for Students

spearheaded; spearheading

: to serve as leader of

She spearheaded a campaign for change.

Learn More about spearhead

See words that rhyme with spearhead Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spearhead Spanish Central: Translation of spearhead Nglish: Translation of spearhead for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spearhead for Arabic speakers

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spearhead

Definition of spearhead

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples of spearhead from the Web

First Known Use of spearhead

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

spearhead

Definition of spearhead

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples of spearhead from the Web

First Known Use of spearhead

spearhead Synonyms

Synonyms

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SPEARHEAD Defined for English Language Learners

spearhead

Definition of spearhead for English Language Learners

spearhead

Definition of spearhead for English Language Learners

SPEARHEAD Defined for Kids

spearhead

Definition of spearhead for Students

spearhead

Definition of spearhead for Students

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