spearhead

1 of 2

noun

spear·​head ˈspir-ˌhed How to pronounce spearhead (audio)
1
: the sharp-pointed head of a spear
2
: a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development

spearhead

2 of 2

verb

spearheaded; spearheading; spearheads

transitive verb

: to serve as leader or leading element of

Examples of spearhead in a Sentence

Noun Her book was the spearhead of the clean water movement. Verb She spearheaded the campaign for better schools. The movement was spearheaded by the teachers' union.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Dendrochronology dated the poles to prehistory, and excitement grew when preliminary digs unearthed fish traps, bronze swords and spearheads. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Over the decades, the Washington Monthly’s indefatigable and ornery spearhead was Mr. Peters, a New Deal Democrat who served in the legislature of his native West Virginia and once aspired to run the state as governor. Timothy R. Smith, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 Human skulls, valuables such as a bronze spearhead, and offerings—including animal skeletons—have been found at various locations where the sun shone through the openings during the longest and shortest days of the year, according to the municipality. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 June 2023 The goal is to slow down any Ukrainian overland attack, giving Russian forces time to attack the mechanized spearheads with air and artillery. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 15 June 2023 In 2016, Suning, the Chinese retail conglomerate, paid $307 million to take a 70 percent stake in Inter, a deal that was — at the time — seen as the spearhead of China’s sudden, lavish and state-approved investment in European soccer. Tariq Panja, New York Times, 8 June 2023 In the first hour of D-day the first spearhead of Allied forces for the liberation of Europe landed by parachute in northern France. Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2023 The spearhead was DeSoto qualifying all three of its relay teams for state, which puts DeSoto in position to win its fifth consecutive state championship, winning previously between 2016 and 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 state meet. Dallas News, 25 Apr. 2021 Weapons, including swords and arrowheads, were found among the burials as well, including one man buried with a metal spearhead in his chest cavity, notes Stefano Vassallo, an archaeologist working for the Italian cultural authority in Palermo who was responsible for excavating many of the bones. Byandrew Curry, science.org, 3 Oct. 2022
Verb
The seller purchased the tenth-floor residence in 2015 for $32 million, according to tax records, and soon embarked on a multi-year, down-to-the-studs restoration and update spearheaded by architect Andrew Skurman. Mark David, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 Still, through changes spearheaded by CEO Krishna, who ascended to the top job in 2020, IBM has worked to capitalize on its long-standing efforts by repositioning its business around the cloud and AI. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Marlou Wine Bar & Store Just behind the Hungarian State Opera House is Marlou, a trove for natural wines spearheaded by the Frenchman Jean-Julien Ricard. Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024 The landfill project is spearheaded by local businesswoman Jennifer Monheiser with KC Recycle & Waste Solutions, which has hired 19 lobbyists since last year to oppose the legislation. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 In response, Bangladesh’s government, along with aid agencies spearheaded by UNICEF, launched a huge effort to tap into cleaner water underground. Laura Paddison, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 The first ship bearing aid to Gaza since 2005 is spearheaded not by the United Nations or a world leader but by a celebritychef, José Andrés. Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Missing Markkanen due to a right quad contusion, Utah’s comeback run was spearheaded by 29 points from Keyonte George. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Under the new agreement, WMG will spearhead the commercial and distribution responsibilities for all of Tips Music’s frontline and catalog music, spanning 23 Indian languages and more than 30,000 songs. Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spearhead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spearhead was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spearhead

Cite this Entry

“Spearhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spearhead. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spearhead

1 of 2 noun
spear·​head -ˌhed How to pronounce spearhead (audio)
1
: the head or point of a spear
2
: a person, thing, or group that is the leading force (as in a development or attack)

spearhead

2 of 2 verb
: to serve as leader of
spearhead a campaign for better schools

More from Merriam-Webster on spearhead

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