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.

---

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

---

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

Disney’s first-ever chief brand officer is spearheading a “Best Christmas Ever” campaign featuring an online video that’s been viewed more than 34 million times and an animated Times Square billboard highlighting fan-drawn characters.

From The Wall Street Journal

The rise in consumer spending — the biggest source of economic growth — helped to spearhead the upturn in GDP.

From MarketWatch

The rise in consumer spending — the biggest source of economic growth — helped to spearhead the upturn in GDP.

From MarketWatch

With support from the coalition, the SDF spearheaded the offensive that led to IS's territorial defeat in Syria in 2019, but the jihadists still maintain a presence, particularly in the country's vast desert.

From Barron's

Soon after the city decided not to intervene, another group decided to try and shut the clinic down - this one spearheaded by Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson.

From BBC

Related Words

• initiate
• launch
• prompt
• spur