Main Entry:

¹lead

Pronunciation:

\ˈlēd\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

led \ˈled\ ; lead·ing

Etymology:

Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 a: to guide on a way especially by going in advance b: to direct on a course or in a direction c: to serve as a channel for <a pipe leads water to the house>2: to go through : live <lead a quiet life>3 a (1): to direct the operations, activity, or performance of <lead an orchestra> (2): to have charge of <lead a campaign> (3): to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions b (1): to go at the head of <lead a parade> (2): to be first in or among <lead the league> (3): to have a margin over <led his opponent>4: to bring to some conclusion or condition <led to believe otherwise>5: to begin play with <lead trumps>6 a: to aim in front of (a moving object) <lead a duck> b: to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)intransitive verb1 a: to guide someone or something along a way b: to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction <path leads uphill> c: to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance2 a: to be first b (1): begin, open (2): to play the first card of a trick, round, or game3: to tend toward or have a result <study leading to a degree>4: to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing

synonyms see guide

— lead one down the garden path also lead one up the garden path

: hoodwink, deceive