in the lead
idiom
1
: in a position that is ahead of others
They walked single file, with the oldest boy in the lead.
2
: winning in a race or competition
Our team was in the lead.
Examples of in the lead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This psychological thriller written and directed by Oscar winner Florian Zeller has attracted a buzzy cast including Penélope Cruz and husband Javier Bardem in the lead roles alongside Stephen Graham, Paul Dano and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Today, the event drew millions of viewers through in-person attendance and television coverage in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl college football game.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 1 Jan. 2026
Konno is nonbinary, and their pantomime is consciously inclusive of LGBTQ people, featuring a nonbinary character in the lead role of Dor, and a message that people should accept people who are different from them.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 27 Dec. 2025
In the online story unfolding in the lead-up to Mangione’s criminal trials next year, the Agnifilos have assumed a mantle just below the protagonist’s.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the lead
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Today, the event drew millions of viewers through in-person attendance and television coverage in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl college football game.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 1 Jan. 2026
Konno is nonbinary, and their pantomime is consciously inclusive of LGBTQ people, featuring a nonbinary character in the lead role of Dor, and a message that people should accept people who are different from them.
—Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 27 Dec. 2025
In the online story unfolding in the lead-up to Mangione’s criminal trials next year, the Agnifilos have assumed a mantle just below the protagonist’s.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the lead
Cite this Entry
“In the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20lead. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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