lead-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈlēd-ˌəp 

: something that leads up to or prepares the way for something else

lead up

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- 

led up; leading up; leads up

intransitive verb

1

: to prepare the way

2

: to make a gradual or indirect approach to a topic

Examples of lead-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Throughout the lead-up to fight night, Benn will wear a series of bespoke pieces including a reimagining off Off-white’s bulletproof vest and a tracksuit. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

But judging by the lead-up to the event, that’s not what’s going to happen. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

In the weeks leading up to the first Super Bowl at SoFi, there were misguided rumblings that the game might be moved to Dallas, because the NFL had secured that city as a backup. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

If Michigan had lost, the noise around the program would have been deafening leading up to the Oklahoma game. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lead-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

lead up

verb

(ˈ)lēd-ˈəp 

: to make a gradual approach to a topic