cheerleader

noun

cheer·​lead·​er ˈchir-ˌlē-dər How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
Synonyms of cheerleadernext
: one that calls for and directs organized cheering (as at a football game)
cheerlead
ˈchir-ˌlēd How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
verb, transitive + intransitive
cheerleading
ˈchir-ˌlē-diŋ How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
noun

Examples of cheerleader in a Sentence

a politician who is a cheerleader for the government's new economic plan
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.
Jeffery played Bree — an aspiring cheerleader at Seabrook High School who becomes friends with Addison (Meg Donnelly) — in the 2018 Disney Channel musical telefilm Zombies and would reprise the role in the 2020 and 2022 sequels. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Brandi is also her younger sister’s biggest cheerleader and close friend, going on several girl’s trips with Miley over the years. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 And the vacuum here, which was filled in by complete cheerleaders a little bit, is very scary to me. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 Panettiere’s Claire, a high-school cheerleader who could spontaneously regenerate, was an immediate fan favorite. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheerleader

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheerleader was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

cheerlead
cheerleader
cheerless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cheerleader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheerleader. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cheerleader

noun
cheer·​lead·​er ˈchi(ə)r-ˌlēd-ər How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
: a person who leads organized cheering (as at a football or basketball game)
cheerlead
-ˌlēd How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
verb
cheerleading
-ˌlē-diŋ How to pronounce cheerleader (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cheerleader

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cheerleader

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