spearhead meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

spearhead

noun

UK /ˈspɪə.hɛd/ · US /ˈspɪɹ.hɛd/

Etymology From Middle English spere-hed; equivalent to spear + head.

The pointed head, or end, of a spear.

Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out.[…]. Ikey the blacksmith had forged us a spearhead after a sketch from a picture of a Greek warrior; and a rake-handle served as a shaft.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:

Something or somebody leading or initiating an activity (such as an attack or campaign).

Spearheads of the NER bargain fares attack this year have been the introduction of weekend fares at a 7s 6d in the £ discount on ordinary rates between principal stations throughout the Region—[...].1964 September, G. Freeman Allen, “Interim report on the East Coast Route express service”, in Modern Railways, pages 158–159:

The leading military unit in an attack.

Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A player who initiates attacking moves.

England played at a tempo in attack that was too much for Bulgaria, with width provided at various times by Walcott, Young and Stewart Downing and Rooney acting as the potent spearhead.2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC, archived from the original on 10 Aug 2020:

verb

Etymology From Middle English spere-hed; equivalent to spear + head.

Idiomatic To drive or campaign ardently for (an effort, project, etc.); to direct.

He spearheaded the entire project from day one.
Newcastle have put themselves within touching distance after a fantastic run which has been spearheaded by the goals of Senegal striker Cisse.2012 April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, “Newcastle 3-0 Stoke”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 12 Sep 2018:

3 more examples

George Monks spearheaded the project to solve this problem with a funicular, and work on the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway (L&LCR) began in 1887.2021 January 13, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Spectacular funiculars”, in RAIL, issue 922, page 53:
Musk is betting that lonely users will trade their cash (and last shreds of their connection to human life) for a bot that is explicitly designed to flirt with sad men, as the saddest man on Earth spearheaded it.2025 July 16, Luis Prada, “Elon Musk’s Grok AI Now Includes a Pornographic Waifu Chatbot”, in Vice, archived from the original on 17 Jul 2025:
Bessent has also been spearheading trade negotiations. Last week he traveled to Sweden to meet with Chinese trade officials to discuss extending the current tariff rates in place on both countries’ goods. This comes as there’s a looming August 12 deadline for the two sides to extend rates or face higher tariffs.2025 August 5, Elisabeth Buchwald, “Trump says Scott Bessent no longer in the running for Fed chair”, in CNN Business, archived from the original on 25 Aug 2025: