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; spear ¹, head

Example Sentences

Many personal-finance classes begin as electives, often spearheaded by one passionate teacher who builds their own curriculum.

From The Wall Street Journal

The University of Utah has spearheaded an effort to provide investors with financial and nonfinancial measures to determine whether their investments are delivering on their goals.

From The Wall Street Journal

He has also spearheaded humanitarian campaigns, including the Hurricane Katrina response in New Orleans, and in Haiti after the impoverished Caribbean nation's 2010 earthquake.

From Barron's

Mr. Hertling served as the operations officer of a cavalry squadron spearheading the advance into Iraq.

From The Wall Street Journal

Private Ukrainian arms companies have spearheaded the developement of drone interceptors -- cheap, light single-use drones that are designed to knock Russian unmanned aerial vehicles out of the sky.

From Barron's

Related Words

• initiate
• launch
• prompt
• spur