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| lead [ leed ] |
verb (past and past participle led [ led ], present participle lead·ing, 3rd person present singular leads) |
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| Definition: |
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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.
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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.
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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
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4. transitive verb command others: to control, direct, or command others
He led an infantry division during the Korean War.
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5. transitive verb be in charge of something: to have a principal part or guiding role in something
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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
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7. transitive and intransitive verb be ahead of others: to be ahead in a race or competition
is leading in the election
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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.
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9. intransitive verb result in something: to bring about a particular outcome
Her hard work ultimately led to stardom.
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10. transitive verb live life: to go through life or spend time in a particular way
We all lead very busy lives.
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11. transitive verb be at start of something: to be at the beginning or front of something
Your name leads the waiting list.
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12. transitive verb be principal musician in orchestra: to be the principal performer of an orchestra or of a section of an orchestra
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13. transitive and intransitive verb dance guide dance partner: to guide a partner in a ballroom dance
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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
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15. transitive verb channel or convey something: to guide something through a passage such as a conduit or channel
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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
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17. intransitive verb aim first blow: to direct the first of a series of punches
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18. intransitive verb leave base early: in baseball, to leave a base as a runner before a pitch
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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
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noun (plural leads) |
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| Definition: |
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1. front position or principal role: the front position, first place, or principal role
The President took the lead in condemning the attacks.
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2. forward position: a position ahead of all competitors
Which party has the lead in the opinion polls?
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3. front runner: somebody or something ahead of all competitors
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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.
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5. starring role: a principal role in a play, motion picture, or show
He will play the male lead in the movie version.
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6. somebody with starring role: somebody who has a principal role in a play, motion picture, or show
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7. role of taking initiative: the role of somebody who directs or guides others
take the lead in a discussion
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8. precedent: an example or precedent
follow his lead
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9. tip or clue: a piece of helpful or useful information
The police are following up a number of leads.
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10. press introduction to news item: an introduction to a news story
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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.
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12. card games first card played: the first card played in a trick in a game
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13. card games right to put down first card: the right to play a card first in a trick in a game
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14. U.K. dog's leash: a leash for an animal, especially a dog.
Same as leashn (sense 1)
Canadian term leash
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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
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16. geology water channel through ice: a water channel through an ice field
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17. nautical direction of rope: the direction in which a rope runs
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18. baseball position of base runner: a position taken by a runner off one base of a baseball diamond toward another
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19. boxing punch: an attacking punch
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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
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21. geology
Same as lode (sense 1)
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| [ Old English lǣdan< Germanic] |
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