1
a
: a shout of applause or encouragement
The players were greeted with loud cheers.
b
US
: the activity of organized cheerleading
With autumn approaching, evenings at Stringham Pitcher Park are again alive with the sounds of football and cheer.—
Laura McCusker
Laura McCusker3
: state of mind or heart : spirit
… be of good cheer …—Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)
Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)4
: hospitable entertainment : welcome
5
: food and drink for a feast : fare
… every table was loaded with good cheer.—T. B. Macaulay
T. B. Macaulay6
: something that gladdens
words of cheer
7
a
archaic
: facial expression
b
obsolete
: face
cheered; cheering; cheers
1
: to utter a shout of applause or triumph
What is there to cheer about?
3
US
: to perform as a cheerleader
A gymnast from the age of 3, she switched to cheerleading in middle school. Rink cheered for three years for her middle school and became a cheerleader for Penn.—Nikki Taylor
Nikki Taylor4
obsolete
: to be mentally or emotionally disposed
1
a
: to make glad or happy
—usually used with up
clowns who cheer up children in hospitals
b
: to instill with hope or courage : comfort
—usually used with up
… cheer desponding men with new-born hope.—William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth2
: to urge on or encourage especially by shouts
cheered the team on
3
: to applaud with shouts
The contest winner was cheered as she accepted the trophy.
cheerer
noun
Examples of cheer in a Sentence
Noun
The audience let out a cheer.
Loud cheers were coming from the bleachers.
The star was greeted with cheers.
Let's spread a little holiday cheer.
The cheerleaders did a cheer for the home team.
Verb
The crowd cheered as he crossed the finish line.
We were cheering for you all the way!
The crowd cheered him as he crossed the finish line.
Their fans cheered them to victory.
Supporters cheered the court's decision.
Investors were cheered by good economic news.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, a group of Texas A&M fans gathered in a hole in the LSU student section and did some of LSU’s cheers after the Tigers scored a meaningless touchdown in the final moments.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
In September 2024, she was spotted cheering him on.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
His relentless pursuit of deregulatory policies and ambitious budget cuts had won cheers from investors before the election last month.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, a group of Texas A&M fans gathered in a hole in the LSU student section and did some of LSU’s cheers after the Tigers scored a meaningless touchdown in the final moments.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Kerns, like many other Middletown residents, has cheered Harrison on from her hometown.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
In September 2024, she was spotted cheering him on.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheer
2 of 2 verb1
: to give hope to or make happier : comfort
cheer up a sick person
2
: to urge on especially with shouts or cheers
cheer the team to victory
3
: to shout with joy, approval, or enthusiasm
the audience cheered loudly
4
: to grow or be cheerful : rejoice
—usually used with up
he cheered up at the news
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