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
Synonyms
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
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025
The crowd’s response to Chase, who has had a reputation of being difficult and making abrasive comments, was much more muted, with few cheers at his appearance.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Footage shared by the NFL shows the crowd cheering for him when he was shown saluting during the national anthem.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cheer 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
As the seconds ticked off the clock and the bricks piled up, what had been roaring cheers from the hometown Chase Center crowd Saturday night quickly morphed into groans during the final round of the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025
The crowd’s response to Chase, who has had a reputation of being difficult and making abrasive comments, was much more muted, with few cheers at his appearance.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
About halfway through the evening, Timberlake left the larger main stage with band members and dancers and walked through the main floor past cheering audience members who asked for and received high fives or took selfies with him.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Footage shared by the NFL shows the crowd cheering for him when he was shown saluting during the national anthem.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cheer
Dictionary Entries Near cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 21 Feb. 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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