take the lead
phrase
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
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The Mystics surged back to take the lead late in regulation, but Leite's 25-foot 3-pointer tied it at 87-all and forced overtime.
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ABC News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for take the lead
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ABC News,
28 June 2026
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 4 Jul. 2026.
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