cheerleader

[cheer-lee-der]

noun

1. a person who leads spectators in cheering, usually a member of a team that performs dance, acrobatic, and tumbling routines at sporting events or in competitions with other teams.

2. a person who encourages and openly supports the success of a person or cause.

   Her dad has always been her biggest cheerleader.

   He emerged as a cheerleader for the rights of the incarcerated.

cheerleader

/ ˈtʃɪəˌliːdə /

noun

1. a person who leads a crowd in formal cheers, esp at sports events

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheerleader¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; cheer + leader

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, Turner, Rams staff members and cheerleaders, in conjunction with South L.A. nonprofit A Place Called Home, will serve meals and distribute 400 turkeys and Thanksgiving supplies to families in need.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I’ve always had a lot of cheerleaders for me to do music,” Hudson replies, sheepishly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The instruments the band members played and the uniforms worn by the cheerleaders had been discarded by the White school across town.

Read more on Literature

Long bear markets accompanied by a recession discredit the last boom’s wildest themes and its cheerleaders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.

Read more on BBC