lead-up

1 of 2

noun

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

lead up

2 of 2

verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The case made it to a jury trial before a judge made the unusual decision in February 2023 to dismiss, after watching a video of the lead-up to Hardy’s arrest. Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2025 The blackout, which was scheduled to take effect at 5:00 pm ET, would have affected millions nationwide and coincided with the start of the college football season and the lead-up to the NFL’s season kickoff — both lucrative sources of viewership. Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
In Romy and Michele, the duo actually attend their reunion for roughly only 30 minutes of the movie; the majority of the story is their journey, their lives together, leading up to the event. Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 But that leaves conservationists with a challenge of reshaping the landscape to accommodate shorebirds in the summer months leading up to harvest. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead-up was in 1861

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead-up. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

lead up

verb
: to make a gradual approach to a topic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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