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

Verb

• boss
• captain
• command
• head
• lead

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

Additionally, the team has discovered several broken iron weapons such as sword handles, large curved blades, javelin points, and a spearhead—all indicative of fighting at the site, according to the Archaeological Institute of America. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 12 July 2024

For example, Neandertals produced multifaceted spearheads by breaking several flakes off of a stone core. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 17 June 2024

Verb

The restoration was spearheaded by producer Shashi Kapoor‘s son, the actor and producer Kunal Kapoor and the screening was introduced by his other son, photographer and actor Karan Kapoor. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2024

This simple yet elegant look was spearheaded by her daughter and stylist Ivy Coco Maurice, who has showcased her skills on her mother’s silhouette for the past few years. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

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