cheerleader
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
noun
Etymology
Origin of cheerleader
Explanation
A cheerleader is a member of a team that performs synchronized cheers and dance routines, usually from the sidelines of a game. The best cheerleaders are extremely strong and flexible, with a great sense of rhythm. The main job of a cheerleader is to rally a sports team to victory, although many cheerleaders also perform complex acrobatic routines. The traditional uniform that a cheerleader wears includes a short skirt or shorts. In the late 19th century, cheerleaders were simply college students in the stands who called out school cheers in unison. By the 1890s, official cheerleading squads were formed, originally including only men — no women or girls were cheerleaders until 1923.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Growing up she was a gymnast and a cheerleader.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026
One cheerleader is Citi Research analyst Fatima Boolani, who initiated coverage on the stock at Buy with a $285 price target on Friday.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Mortensen is reportedly now dating former 49ers cheerleader Emma Shippen.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
Retired wrestler and cheerleader Stacy Keibler shared a photo of herself and Van Der Beek taking in a sunset as the actor was seated in a wheelchair.
From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026
And Lauren was a cheerleader at our school, so she had that whole thing going on.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
