spearhead

American  

[speer-hed] / ˈspɪərˌhɛd /

noun

1. the sharp-pointed head that forms the piercing end of a spear.

2. any person, contingent, or force that leads an attack, undertaking, etc..

   Cuba was the spearhead of the independence movement within Latin America.

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verb (used with object)

1. to lead or initiate (an undertaking).

   She is spearheading an ambitious research project whose results may be used by NASA.

   Synonyms:

   pioneer, initiate, start, lead

spearhead British  

/ ˈspɪəˌhɛd /

noun

1. the pointed head of a spear

2. the leading force in a military attack

3. any person or thing that leads or initiates an attack, a campaign, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to lead or initiate (an attack, a campaign, etc)

Etymology

Origin of spearhead

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at spear ¹, head

Example Sentences

Because of this, Bidarian says Rousey is the perfect person to spearhead MVP's debut in the MMA market.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Under Ternus, Apple could spearhead the next form factor for the AI era, Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee wrote in a Monday note.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

It didn’t take long for Acuña to spearhead an academic revolution he knew was emerging.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Indian stocks had their worst day in nearly two years as risk-off sentiment swept the market, spearhead by escalating fighting in the Middle East.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

A caveman owned one spearhead or many spearheads; he had eaten one crushed lizard or many crushed lizards.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

• initiate
• launch
• prompt
• spur