cheerleader

American  

[cheer-lee-der] / ˈtʃɪərˌli dər /

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.

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cheerleader British  

/ ˈtʃɪəˌliːdə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of cheerleader

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

Example Sentences

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins has taken on double duty as both the financial industry’s top regulator and the most prominent cheerleader for the U.S. public equity markets.

From Barron's

It all kicked off Monday with sequined cheerleaders, screaming fans, and journalists spanning outlets from the national press to influencers and student reporters.

From Barron's

Rosé, one quarter of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, is nominated for three awards for APT, her irresistible, cheerleader chanting duet with Bruno Mars.

From BBC

And you know what, I’m happy he didn’t because sometimes it takes for a person to be your champion or your cheerleader in certain things and I do appreciate it.

From Los Angeles Times

Academically, I was on the honor roll and in all the AP classes, and I was a cheerleader.

From The Wall Street Journal