spearhead

1 of 2

noun

spear·​head ˈspir-ˌhed How to pronounce spearhead (audio)
1
: the sharp-pointed head of a spear
2
: a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development

spearhead

2 of 2

verb

spearheaded; spearheading; spearheads

transitive verb

: to serve as leader or leading element of

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Noun Her book was the spearhead of the clean water movement. Verb She spearheaded the campaign for better schools. The movement was spearheaded by the teachers' union.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Before taking on the captaincy, Cummins was used primarily as a strike bowler — a fast, hostile spearhead who attacked in bursts. Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 However, initially Egypt, once the spearhead of Arab opposition to Israel, and eventually Jordan, brokered separate peace agreements. Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
The longtime Homeland Security official spearheaded the immigration enforcement crackdown in Los Angeles and is seen as directing the agents' aggressive tactics in Chicago. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Joining Dayforce in 2024 after leading HR at Cohesity and Symantec, and Silver Springs Networks before that, Cappellanti-Wolf has also spearheaded internal AI strategy, which includes the choice of ChatGPT as the preferred employee tool. Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spearhead

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spearhead was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spearhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spearhead. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

spearhead

1 of 2 noun
spear·​head -ˌhed How to pronounce spearhead (audio)
1
: the head or point of a spear
2
: a person, thing, or group that is the leading force (as in a development or attack)

spearhead

2 of 2 verb
: to serve as leader of
spearhead a campaign for better schools

More from Merriam-Webster on spearhead

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