led
ˈled
; leading
1
a
: to guide on a way especially by going in advance
led the officers to his hiding place
b
: to direct on a course or in a direction
a road leading the traveler to the heart of the city
c
: to serve as a channel for
a pipe leads water to the house
2
: to go through : live
lead a quiet life
3
a(1)
: to direct the operations, activity, or performance of
lead an orchestra
(2)
: to have charge of
lead a campaign
(3)
: to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions
counsel is leading this witness, putting words in her mouth—Erle Stanley Gardner
b(1)
: to go at the head of
lead a parade
(2)
: to be first in or among
lead the league
(3)
: to have a margin over
led his opponent
4
: to bring to some conclusion or condition
led to believe otherwise
5
: to begin play with
lead trumps
6
a
: to aim in front of (a moving object)
lead a duck
b
: to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
1
a
: to guide someone or something along a way
You lead and we'll follow.
b
: to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction
path leads uphill
c
: to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
2
3
: to tend toward or have a result
study leading to a degree
4
: to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
1
a(1)
: leadership
look to the president for a unifying lead—D. W. Brogan
b(1)
: position at the front : vanguard
The runner from Kenya was in the lead for most of the race.
(2)
: initiative
took the lead in fighting the measure
(3)
: the act or privilege of playing first in a card game
Your partner has the lead.
also
: the card or suit played first
His lead was the ace.
c
: a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance
enjoys a good lead over all competitors
2
: one that leads: such as
a
b
: a channel of water especially through a field of ice
c
: indication, clue
The detectives had a few leads to follow.
d
: a principal role in a dramatic production
She was the romantic lead in the movie.
also
: one who plays such a role
e
: leash sense 1
train a dog to walk on a lead
f(1)
: an introductory section of a news story : lede
edit the lead to grab the reader's attention
(2)
: a news story of chief importance
The story of his arrest was the lead in newspapers across the country.
3
: an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
4
: the course of a rope from end to end
5
: the amount of axial (see axial sense 2a) advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)
6
: a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next
The runner on first took a big lead.
7
: the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
: acting or serving as a lead (see lead entry 2) or leader
a lead article
1
: a soft, heavy, metallic element with atomic number 82 found mostly in combination and used especially in alloys, batteries, and shields against sound, vibration, or radiation
—often used before another noun
lead pipes
This capsule was sealed in a tungsten wheel the size of a tricycle tire, which was then placed behind thick lead shielding.—Sandra Blakeslee
see Chemical Elements Table
2
3
a
: a thin stick of marking substance (such as graphite) in or for a pencil
b
4
5
leaded; leading; leads
1
: to cover, line, or weight with lead (see lead entry 4)
2
: to fix (window glass) in position with leads
3
: to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)
4
: to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound
leaded gasoline
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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