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
September and October have spooky features in the lead-up to Halloween, quickly switching over to Christmas come November. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025 The show maximized the lead-up to the episode with seven separate Instagram Reels to drum up interest and acquire new viewers. John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the months leading up to the vote, Leonard heard parents from Briscoe, De Zavala and other schools speak at board meetings about how the decision to close those campuses will disrupt their kids’ lives. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2025 Hasan, an American Muslim psychiatrist, had shown signs of growing radicalization in the months leading up to the attack, according to investigators. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

lead up

verb
: to make a gradual approach to a topic
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!