cheerleader

[ cheer-lee-der ]

noun

1. a person who leads spectators in cheering, usually a member of a team that performs dance, acrobatic, and tumbling routines at sporting events or in competitions with other teams.
2. a person who encourages and openly supports the success of a person or cause:

   Her dad has always been her biggest cheerleader.

   He emerged as a cheerleader for the rights of the incarcerated.

cheerleader

/ ˈtʃɪəˌliːdə /

noun

1. a person who leads a crowd in formal cheers, esp at sports events

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheerleader¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; cheer + leader

Example Sentences

Saturday did two buses transporting the Baldwin Park High football team and cheerleaders from a Division 11 football playoff game at Big Bear arrive home.

From Los Angeles Times

A smiling Serrano lapped up the applause, dancing her way through a line of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

From BBC

She does a lot of these inspirational talks, and “Master of Me” has a bit of that trademark cheerleader energy — a unique blend of dishy, behind-the-scenes tell-all and conversational wisdom.

From Los Angeles Times

She watched the cheerleaders and the veterans, the posse of sheriff’s deputies and the firetrucks, the passing faces in the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

Even former President Trump seems annoyed with the right’s new cheerleader.

From Los Angeles Times