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lead (1)

lead [ leed ]


verb  (past and past participle led [ led ], present participle lead·ing, 3rd person present singular leads)
Definition:
 
1. transitive and intransitive verb guide somebody: to show the way to others, usually by going ahead of them
He led us down the mountain.

2. transitive and intransitive verb be the way somewhere: to be the route or direction that goes to a particular place or in a particular direction
That street leads to the school.

3. transitive verb bring somebody or something: to bring a person or animal along with physical guidance, e.g. by holding the person's hand or pulling a horse's reins

4. transitive verb command others: to control, direct, or command others
He led an infantry division during the Korean War.

5. transitive verb be in charge of something: to have a principal part or guiding role in something

6. transitive verb be better than others: to be more successful than and an example to others
a city that leads the nation in the fight against crime

7. transitive and intransitive verb be ahead of others: to be ahead in a race or competition
is leading in the election

8. transitive verb influence somebody to do something: to cause somebody to think or act in a particular way
I was led to believe the house had been sold.

9. intransitive verb result in something: to bring about a particular outcome
Her hard work ultimately led to stardom.

10. transitive verb live life: to go through life or spend time in a particular way
We all lead very busy lives.

11. transitive verb be at start of something: to be at the beginning or front of something
Your name leads the waiting list.

12. transitive verb be principal musician in orchestra: to be the principal performer of an orchestra or of a section of an orchestra

13. transitive and intransitive verb dance guide dance partner: to guide a partner in a ballroom dance

14. transitive verb ask witness leading question: to suggest to a witness an answer to a question by phrasing the question in a way that will elicit the desired response

15. transitive verb channel or convey something: to guide something through a passage such as a conduit or channel

16. transitive and intransitive verb put down first card: to play the first card in a trick in a card game, often requiring others to play a card of the same suit if they can
lead trumps

17. intransitive verb aim first blow: to direct the first of a series of punches

18. intransitive verb leave base early: in baseball, to leave a base as a runner before a pitch

19. transitive verb aim ahead of something: to aim something such as a missile or ball at a point in front of a moving target to allow for the time of flight



noun  (plural leads)
Definition:
 
1. front position or principal role: the front position, first place, or principal role
The President took the lead in condemning the attacks.

2. forward position: a position ahead of all competitors
Which party has the lead in the opinion polls?

3. front runner: somebody or something ahead of all competitors

4. distance between first and second: the margin by which somebody or something is ahead of all competitors
She had a narrow lead as the runners entered the last lap.

5. starring role: a principal role in a play, motion picture, or show
He will play the male lead in the movie version.

6. somebody with starring role: somebody who has a principal role in a play, motion picture, or show

7. role of taking initiative: the role of somebody who directs or guides others
take the lead in a discussion

8. precedent: an example or precedent
follow his lead

9. tip or clue: a piece of helpful or useful information
The police are following up a number of leads.

10. press introduction to news item: an introduction to a news story

11. press headline item: the most important story in a newspaper or news broadcast
The conflict should make the lead in all tomorrow's papers.

12. card games first card played: the first card played in a trick in a game

13. card games right to put down first card: the right to play a card first in a trick in a game

14. U.K. dog's leash: a leash for an animal, especially a dog.
Same as  leashn (sense 1)

Canadian term  leash


15. U.K. electricity wire conducting electricity: an insulated electrical conductor used to connect two points in a circuit, e.g. a cable connecting an appliance to a source of electricity

16. geology water channel through ice: a water channel through an ice field

17. nautical direction of rope: the direction in which a rope runs

18. baseball position of base runner: a position taken by a runner off one base of a baseball diamond toward another

19. boxing punch: an attacking punch

20. military distance ahead of moving target: the distance a missile, ball, or other projectile is aimed in front of a moving target to allow for the time of flight

21. geology 
Same as  lode (sense 1)


[ Old English lǣdan< Germanic]

Word Usage
lead or led?

Led, the past tense and past participle of the verb lead, "to guide, command, be in charge," etc., is the correct choice in sentences like this: The captain led [not lead] the troops into battle. There is also a noun spelled lead, pronounced like led, that means "a heavy metallic element": found a high degree of lead [not led] in the paint.


Word Key: Synonyms

See guide.

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