go-ahead

1 of 2

adjective

Synonyms of go-aheadnext
1
: marked by energy and enterprise : progressive
a vigorous go-ahead company
2
: indicating that one may proceed
go-ahead signal
3
: being a score that gives a team the lead in a game
drove in the go-ahead run

go-ahead

2 of 2

noun

1
a
b
: one possessing go-ahead
2
: a sign, signal, or authority to proceed : green light

Synonyms of go-ahead

Examples of go-ahead in a Sentence

Noun a born go-ahead, he was determined to be the first in his family to graduate from college
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Instead, the Dodgers’ clutch middle-of-the-order threat was able to toy with the Arizona Diamondbacks, crushing a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to power a 3-2 victory and a 3-0 start to the season. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026 Ryan O'Hearn had three hits and two RBIs, including a go-ahead single in the 10th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates threw out the potential tying run at the plate to hold off the New York Mets 4-3 on Sunday for their first victory this season. CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Following Siakam’s go-ahead basket, Derrick White missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have given the Celtics the win. Jay King, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026 Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffery late in the fourth quarter, San Francisco used a trick play on a TD toss from wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and the 49ers eliminated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles with a 23-19 wild-card victory Sunday. Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for go-ahead

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of go-ahead was in 1829

Cite this Entry

“Go-ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go-ahead. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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