lede

noun

ˈlēd 

: the introductory section of a news story that is intended to entice the reader to read the full story

The BBC buried the lede [=did not emphasize the most important information] when it reported that the number of millionaires increased by 5.2 million last year. … The bigger news … is that membership in the global middle class has exploded over the last two decades.

—Ronald Bailey

Examples of lede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As referenced in the lede to this story, Pietranton was known for his love of Springsteen. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025

The teaser is wise to bury the lede of the new film’s premise, which is focused in part on the decline of traditional media. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025

Use shorter ledes for topics popular on mobile. —Malana Vantyler, Ascend Agency, 6 Nov. 2025

White describes Laurence as the love of her life, and a great journalist who often helped her with writing catchier headlines, stronger ledes and offering first reads. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of lead entry 2

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above