1
a
: a shout of applause or encouragement
The players were greeted with loud cheers.
b
US
: the activity of organized cheerleading
With autumn approaching, evenings at Stringham Pitcher Park are again alive with the sounds of football and cheer.—
Laura McCusker
Laura McCusker3
: state of mind or heart : spirit
… be of good cheer …—Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)
Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)4
: hospitable entertainment : welcome
5
: food and drink for a feast : fare
… every table was loaded with good cheer.—T. B. Macaulay
T. B. Macaulay6
: something that gladdens
words of cheer
7
a
archaic
: facial expression
b
obsolete
: face
cheered; cheering; cheers
1
: to utter a shout of applause or triumph
What is there to cheer about?
3
US
: to perform as a cheerleader
A gymnast from the age of 3, she switched to cheerleading in middle school. Rink cheered for three years for her middle school and became a cheerleader for Penn.—Nikki Taylor
Nikki Taylor4
obsolete
: to be mentally or emotionally disposed
1
a
: to make glad or happy
—usually used with up
clowns who cheer up children in hospitals
b
: to instill with hope or courage : comfort
—usually used with up
… cheer desponding men with new-born hope.—William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth2
: to urge on or encourage especially by shouts
cheered the team on
3
: to applaud with shouts
The contest winner was cheered as she accepted the trophy.
cheerer
noun
Examples of cheer in a Sentence
Noun
The audience let out a cheer.
Loud cheers were coming from the bleachers.
The star was greeted with cheers.
Let's spread a little holiday cheer.
The cheerleaders did a cheer for the home team.
Verb
The crowd cheered as he crossed the finish line.
We were cheering for you all the way!
The crowd cheered him as he crossed the finish line.
Their fans cheered them to victory.
Supporters cheered the court's decision.
Investors were cheered by good economic news.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
If that first cheer wasn't loud enough, Campbell had everyone, not just Patriots fans, loving his answer when asked what New England can expect from him right away.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
The Madrid Metro has been busy as usual this morning, and residents in the Spanish capital cheered this morning as lights came back on.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheer
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Noun
The crowd erupted in cheers in full support of the 23-year-old singer after his announcement.
—Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
If that first cheer wasn't loud enough, Campbell had everyone, not just Patriots fans, loving his answer when asked what New England can expect from him right away.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
In the video, as buildings in the neighborhood begin to light up one by one, people can be heard cheering, screaming and clapping after the worst power outage in Spain and Portugal's history brought the countries to a standstill.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
The Madrid Metro has been busy as usual this morning, and residents in the Spanish capital cheered this morning as lights came back on.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheer
2 of 2 verb1
: to give hope to or make happier : comfort
cheer up a sick person
2
: to urge on especially with shouts or cheers
cheer the team to victory
3
: to shout with joy, approval, or enthusiasm
the audience cheered loudly
4
: to grow or be cheerful : rejoice
—usually used with up
he cheered up at the news
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