I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English spere-hed, from spere spear + hed head
1.
a. : the sharp-pointed head of a spear
b. : something having a sharp-pointed end ; specifically : a sharp device on the end of a lath for piercing tobacco stalks that are to be hung on the lath during curing
2.
a. : a military force that precedes others in a thrust or attack : the leading element in a military thrust or attack
smashed the American spearhead in savage fighting — F.V.W.Mason
b. : a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development
trained to act as the spearhead of miners' demands against the management — Leo Wolman
the spearhead of propaganda is the slogan — S.H.Flowerman
plastics might be said to be the spearhead of the advance in synthetic materials — Howard Marshall
II. transitive verb
1.
a. : to take the lead in launching and pressing forward (a military thrust or attack)
airborne troops spearheaded a massed crossing of the river — Allan Taylor
b. : to precede in a military thrust or attack
the dive bombers spearheaded the panzer forces — C.C.Caldwell
2.
a. : to take a leading role in (an undertaking or development)
spearheaded the medical profession's efforts to improve physician-patient relationships — Milton Silverman
spearheaded the romantic revolution — Florence Bullock
b. : to serve as leader of in an undertaking or development
spearheaded a group of liberal Democrats who are supporting … the censure movement — Anthony Leviero