spearhead

1 of 2

noun

spear·​head ˈspir-ˌhed 

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

Synonyms of spearhead

Verb

• lead
• command

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

Noun

Usually the spearhead of Jordan’s attack, Al-Naimat suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December which ruled him out of this tournament. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 June 2026

The Republicans vowed to continue making Texas a legal spearhead for red-state resistance to Democratic policies. — Philip Jankowski austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

When the troubles grew more fearsome following Lexington and Concord in 1775, Trumbull effectively crushed the loyalist movement and spearheaded Connecticut’s role as the Provisions State. — Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026

His first World Cup experience, however, took things back to 1954, when Sepp Herberger’s men defeated hot favorites Hungary in a final credited with spearheading the Wirtschaftswunder, a miracle of the economic kind. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spearhead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

spearhead

1 of 2 noun

spear·​head -ˌhed 

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