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

That strategy will be on display in February, when ABC and ESPN carry the Super Bowl from Los Angeles, with lead-up coverage likely to incorporate Disney characters and the company’s Southern California theme park. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The report was accompanied by an 80-second video excerpt of police body-camera footage showing the lead-up to the shooting. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Executive orders to limit mail-in ballots, lawsuits over voter registration data, threats to funding and more have poured out of the White House leading up to the 2026 general election. — Denver Post, 23 Aug. 2026

In the hour leading up to the Dutch GP, rain soaked the circuit, including during the reconnaissance laps, when the cars navigated from the garage to the grid pre-race. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 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