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

With him was 35-year-old Hani, a technically minded cousin who spearheaded the effort to understand how the abduction took place, and who gave only his first name to avoid reprisals.

From Los Angeles Times

The ex-Labour MSP spearheaded the smoking ban campaign as the country aimed to shed its tag as the "sick man of Europe".

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

Angel City puts last year’s struggles behind them with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Chicago Stars spearheaded by its new-look roster.

From Los Angeles Times

She and other leaders are now trying to push forward the farmworker movement and continue the work that many women — not just Chavez — spearheaded.

From Salon

Related Words

• initiate
• launch
• prompt
• spur