Cheerleading

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An organized activity that combines dance, acrobatics, and chants to support athletes and engage audiences at sports events
2. A performance discipline that utilizes rhythm, physical skill, and teamwork to rally support for teams while entertaining crowds
3. A spirited team-oriented activity that incorporates dance, stunts, and chants to motivate sports teams and energize spectators

Etymology: Cheerleading is a plain compound of two English words: "cheerlead", a back-formation from "cheerleader", combined with the suffix "-ing". The noun "cheerleader" came first, and the verb was reshaped from it, so the activity was named after the person who did it rather than the other way around. Cheering itself is an old word, traceable to Old French "chiere" meaning face or countenance, which is why a cheerful look once meant a bright expression. The modern form grew out of American college sports. Early cheerleaders were largely male students who led crowds with yells and simple routines, and the dance, stunts and pyramids came in later as the activity was organised into formal squads. The suffix "-ing" simply turns the verb into a name for the activity as a whole.

Synonyms: supporting, encouraging, promoting, rooting, rallying

Antonyms: discouraging, dissuading, opposing, denouncing, criticizing