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
What entity should take the lead on protecting Gastonia’s most vulnerable during extreme heat or cold, and how can city and county leaders, and partner organizations, better work together?
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Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
In this scenario, 600-odd Chinese coast guard vessels would take the lead, alongside the 3,000 or so armed fishing boats that form China’s maritime militia, although backed up by naval strike groups lurking close by.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Wednesday night marked just the fifth time in Mazzulla’s head-coaching tenure that the Celtics had the ball in the final 10 seconds with a chance to tie or take the lead in a game Tatum missed.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The first one led to a K-State field goal to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
In this scenario, 600-odd Chinese coast guard vessels would take the lead, alongside the 3,000 or so armed fishing boats that form China’s maritime militia, although backed up by naval strike groups lurking close by.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Wednesday night marked just the fifth time in Mazzulla’s head-coaching tenure that the Celtics had the ball in the final 10 seconds with a chance to tie or take the lead in a game Tatum missed.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
The first one led to a K-State field goal to take the lead.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2025.
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