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
That support remained high in the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, with 71 percent backing the strikes and 27 percent against. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 Eisman drew similarities between the rocky trade environment and lead-up to World War I, likely referring to a series of treaties forged in the decades before the war designed to settle regional skirmishes that, in reality, created two massive, and eventually opposing, alliances. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025
Verb
After the intelligence failures leading up to the Iraq War, the country is rightfully more skeptical of what the government says. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 23 June 2025 But a high line without sufficient pressure from your midfielders or attackers leaves your defenders exposed, as was the case for the sequence leading up to Asencio’s dismissal. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 22 June 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 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lead up

verb
: to make a gradual approach to a topic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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