spear·head (spîr'hĕd')
n.

1. The sharpened head of a spear.
2. 1. The leading forces in a military thrust.
   2. The driving force in a given action, endeavor, or movement.

tr.v., -head·ed, -head·ing, -heads.
To be the leader of (a movement, for example): "spearheaded the effort to offer classes in settlement houses [and] provide lecturers to women's clubs" (Catherine Clinton).

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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