spearhead

[speer-hed]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spearhead¹

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

Example Sentences

The 32-year-old pace spearhead has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies more than three months ago.

Read more on Barron's

Blum, a conservative, spearheaded the lawsuit against Harvard College that helped lead the Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action in 2023, while the other two men testified against the practice.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Gyokeres, on the other hand, is consistently a central spearhead, and has had more touches in the opposition box than any Gunners player in the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Read more on BBC

If there was one player in recent Anfield history who would be backed to conjure up a match-saving moment of magic it is 'The Egyptian King', the spearhead of all Liverpool's recent successes.

Read more on BBC

Wiener also this term passed a controversial housing bill that will increase density around transit hubs, and spearheaded a bill to regulate artificial intelligence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• initiate 
• launch 
• prompt 
• spur