: something (such as a television show or segment) that leads into something else
a lead-in to the commercial
lead-in adjective

Examples of lead-in 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.
But Meyers’s lead-in is Jimmy Fallon at The Tonight Show, who tends to occupy a more politically anodyne space. David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025 Additionally, Paramount+ will stream lead-in coverage from noon to 2 p.m. ET both days. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 IndyCar Photo One of the largest sporting events on Earth will serve as the lead-in for FOX’s telecast of the IndyCar race at Nashville Superspeedway on July 19. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The new episodes of the flagship Law & Order will also debut on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ET, serving as the lead-in to SVU. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead-in

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead-in was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead-in. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lead-in

noun
ˈlēd-ˌin
: something (as a television show or segment) that leads into something else
lead-in adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on lead-in

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!