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

Even with Tucker hovering, Butker said the lead-up to Sunday’s game might have included one of his best weeks of practice. — Pete Sweeney november 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Sweeney had said since training camp that the team would be ready regardless of who was available on a nightly basis because of the amount of work and preparation done in the lead-up to the regular season. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026

Verb

The bubbly coalition-builder had long been the favorite in the race, leading McKinney by double digits in polls leading up to Tuesday. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Users on the prediction market Kalshi heavily favored Ricketts in the race, showing a roughly 70-30 split with Osborn, while traditional polls painted a much tighter race in the weeks leading up to the election. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 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