led

1 of 2

past tense and past participle of lead

plural LEDs
: a semiconductor diode that emits light when a voltage is applied to it and that is used especially in electronic devices (as for an indicator light)

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When to Use Lead or Led

There is some persistent confusion about lead and led. Or, we should say, there is confusion about the leads and led. Lead is both a noun and a verb, as most people know. There are several unrelated nouns spelled lead: one most commonly refers to a metal (as in, "The paint was made with lead"), and the other most commonly refers to a position of advantage (as in, "Our team was in the lead"). The verb lead is pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to a position or advantage is also pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to the metal, however, is pronounced /LED/, with a short e. To this moderately convoluted situation, add the past tense and past participle of the verb lead, which is led and pronounced like the metal noun lead with a short e. The homophonic confusion leads to homographic confusion, and you will therefore occasionally see lead in constructions where led is called for (as in, “She lead the ducklings to safety” instead of “She led the ducklings to safety”). The correct past and past participle of lead is spelled led. If you aren’t sure whether to use led or lead as the verb in your sentence, try reading it aloud to yourself. If the verb is pronounced /LED/, use led.

Examples of led in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Corbyn Matte Black Metal Solar Powered LED Landscape Walkway Light Lighting can make all the difference when designing a space, and that goes for your outdoor spaces, too. Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 There were stars on the court both literally and figuratively, as the celebrities' hard-nosed approach to what is normally a lighthearted game and the NBA's new LED court were the major draws. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 You’ll even be alerted when the vacuum is clogged or needs emptying thanks to its LED touchscreen. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 The colors are nice and punchy, plus the LED backlight is nice and even. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 The aluminum sculpture contains nearly 1,200 LED lights, each with its own sensor, that allow visitors to affect it without touching it — a feature well-suited for a pandemic. Elyse Pham, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 Sure, some of the Mini LED TVs from TCL and Hisense on the CES show floor can go even brighter, but OLEDs still get my pick for their viewing angle flexibility. Verge Staff, The Verge, 12 Jan. 2024 Say Hello to Illumination Innovation Light up your space with Brilliant Evolution LED lights – no fuss, no muss. Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024 The company showed off its micro LED technology, which allows for transparent screens. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'led.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

light-emitting diode

First Known Use

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of led was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near led

Cite this Entry

“Led.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/led. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

led

1 of 2

past and past participle of lead

LED

2 of 2 noun
: an electronic device that emits light when a voltage is applied to it
Etymology

Noun

light-emitting diode

Legal Definition

led

past and past participle of lead

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