take the lead
idiom
1
: to take a position that is ahead of others : go first
You take the lead and we'll follow right behind you.
2
: to take the winning position in a race or competition
Her car has taken the lead.
Our team took the lead in the eighth inning.
—often used figurativelyTheir company has taken the lead in developing this new technology.
Examples of take the lead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Olympians received the second-half kickoff and needed just four plays to take the lead.
—
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
After a Bowie punt, SGP found themselves in a position to take the lead.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
The Wild killed the rest of the extended penalty, only to see Carolina take the lead on a long shot through a crowd in front of the Minnesota net five seconds after the teams were back to full strength.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
How to stay safe in the meantime Technology often moves faster than laws, which means families, schools and caregivers must take the lead in protecting young users right now.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
After a Bowie punt, SGP found themselves in a position to take the lead.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
The Wild killed the rest of the extended penalty, only to see Carolina take the lead on a long shot through a crowd in front of the Minnesota net five seconds after the teams were back to full strength.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
How to stay safe in the meantime Technology often moves faster than laws, which means families, schools and caregivers must take the lead in protecting young users right now.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
Cite this Entry
“Take the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20lead. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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