lead

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈlēd

led ˈled

; leading

transitive verb

: to guide on a way especially by going in advance

led the officers to his hiding place

: to direct on a course or in a direction

a road leading the traveler to the heart of the city

: to serve as a channel for

a pipe leads water to the house

: to go through : live

lead a quiet life

a(1)

: to direct the operations, activity, or performance of

lead an orchestra

(2)

: to have charge of

lead a campaign

(3)

: to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions

counsel is leading this witness, putting words in her mouth

Erle Stanley Gardner

b(1)

: to go at the head of

lead a parade

(2)

: to be first in or among

lead the league

(3)

: to have a margin over

led his opponent

: to bring to some conclusion or condition

led to believe otherwise

: to begin play with

lead trumps

: to aim in front of (a moving object)

lead a duck

: to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)

intransitive verb

: to guide someone or something along a way

You lead and we'll follow.

: to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction

path leads uphill

: to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance

: to be first

This state leads in population.

b(1)

: begin, open

will lead off with a Christmas story

Richard Bissell

(2)

: to play the first card of a trick, round, or game

: to tend toward or have a result

study leading to a degree

: to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing

lead

2 of 5

noun (1)

ˈlēd

a(1)

: leadership

look to the president for a unifying lead

D. W. Brogan

(2)

: example, precedent

followed the lead of the majority leader in voting

b(1)

: position at the front : vanguard

The runner from Kenya was in the lead for most of the race.

(2)

: initiative

took the lead in fighting the measure

(3)

: the act or privilege of playing first in a card game

Your partner has the lead.

also : the card or suit played first

His lead was the ace.

: a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance

enjoys a good lead over all competitors

: one that leads: such as

: lode sense 2

: a channel of water especially through a field of ice

: indication, clue

The detectives had a few leads to follow.

: a principal role in a dramatic production

She was the romantic lead in the movie.

also : one who plays such a role

: leash sense 1

train a dog to walk on a lead

f(1)

: an introductory section of a news story : lede

edit the lead to grab the reader's attention

(2)

: a news story of chief importance

The story of his arrest was the lead in newspapers across the country.

: an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device

: the course of a rope from end to end

: the amount of axial (see axial sense 2a) advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)

: a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next

The runner on first took a big lead.

: the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing

lead

3 of 5

adjective

ˈlēd

: acting or serving as a lead (see lead entry 2) or leader

a lead article

lead

4 of 5

noun (2)

ˈled

often attributive

: a soft, heavy, metallic element with atomic number 82 found mostly in combination and used especially in alloys, batteries, and shields against sound, vibration, or radiation see Chemical Elements Table

: a plummet for sounding at sea

leads plural, British : a usually flat lead roof

leads plural : lead framing for panes in windows

: a thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

: a thin stick of marking substance (such as graphite) in or for a pencil

: white lead

: bullets, projectiles

: tetraethyl lead

lead

5 of 5

verb (2)

ˈled

leaded; leading; leads

transitive verb

: to cover, line, or weight with lead (see lead entry 4)

: to fix (window glass) in position with leads

: to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)

: to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound

leaded gasoline

Did you know?

When to Use Lead or Led

There is some persistent confusion about lead and led. Or, we should say, there is confusion about the leads and led. Lead is both a noun and a verb, as most people know. There are several unrelated nouns spelled lead: one most commonly refers to a metal (as in, "The paint was made with lead"), and the other most commonly refers to a position of advantage (as in, "Our team was in the lead"). The verb lead is pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to a position or advantage is also pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to the metal, however, is pronounced /LED/, with a short e. To this moderately convoluted situation, add the past tense and past participle of the verb lead, which is led and pronounced like the metal noun lead with a short e. The homophonic confusion leads to homographic confusion, and you will therefore occasionally see lead in constructions where led is called for (as in, “She lead the ducklings to safety” instead of “She led the ducklings to safety”). The correct past and past participle of lead is spelled led. If you aren’t sure whether to use led or lead as the verb in your sentence, try reading it aloud to yourself. If the verb is pronounced /LED/, use led.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1), Noun (1), and Adjective

Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English leed, from Old English lēad; akin to Middle High German lōt lead

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1828, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lead 1 of 3

verb

ˈlēd

led

ˈled

; leading

: to guide on a way often by going ahead

You lead and we will follow.

: to be at the head or front part of

She led the parade.

: to direct or guide the actions of

lead an orchestra

: to be best, first, or ahead

The champs led by 15 points.

: to go through : live

They lead a happy life.

: to reach or go in a certain direction

This road leads to town.

lead

2 of 3

noun

: position at the front

He took the lead.

: the amount or distance that a person or thing is ahead

The team had a ten point lead.

: the main role in a movie or play

: something serving as an indication or clue Police followed their only lead.

: the first part of a news story

lead

3 of 3

noun

ˈled

: a heavy soft gray metallic element that is easily bent and shaped

: a long thin piece of graphite used in pencils

: ammunition

a shower of lead

Medical Definition

lead 1 of 2

noun

ˈlēd

: a flexible or solid insulated conductor connected to or leading out from an electrical device (as an electroencephalograph)

lead

2 of 2

noun

ˈled

often attributive

: a heavy soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic bluish white metallic element found mostly in combination and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity

—symbol Pb see Chemical Elements Table

: white lead

: tetraethyl lead

单词	lead one down the garden path
释义	lead 1 of 5 verb (1) ˈlēd led ˈled ; leading transitive verb 1 a : to guide on a way especially by going in advance led the officers to his hiding place b : to direct on a course or in a direction a road leading the traveler to the heart of the city c : to serve as a channel for a pipe leads water to the house 2 : to go through : live lead a quiet life 3 a(1) : to direct the operations, activity, or performance of lead an orchestra (2) : to have charge of lead a campaign (3) : to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions counsel is leading this witness, putting words in her mouth Erle Stanley Gardner b(1) : to go at the head of lead a parade (2) : to be first in or among lead the league (3) : to have a margin over led his opponent 4 : to bring to some conclusion or condition led to believe otherwise 5 : to begin play with lead trumps 6 a : to aim in front of (a moving object) lead a duck b : to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate) intransitive verb 1 a : to guide someone or something along a way You lead and we'll follow. b : to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction path leads uphill c : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance 2 a : to be first This state leads in population. b(1) : begin, open will lead off with a Christmas story Richard Bissell (2) : to play the first card of a trick, round, or game 3 : to tend toward or have a result study leading to a degree 4 : to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing lead 2 of 5 noun (1) ˈlēd 1 a(1) : leadership look to the president for a unifying lead D. W. Brogan (2) : example, precedent followed the lead of the majority leader in voting b(1) : position at the front : vanguard The runner from Kenya was in the lead for most of the race. (2) : initiative took the lead in fighting the measure (3) : the act or privilege of playing first in a card game Your partner has the lead. also : the card or suit played first His lead was the ace. c : a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance enjoys a good lead over all competitors 2 : one that leads: such as a : lode sense 2 b : a channel of water especially through a field of ice c : indication, clue The detectives had a few leads to follow. d : a principal role in a dramatic production She was the romantic lead in the movie. also : one who plays such a role e : leash sense 1 train a dog to walk on a lead f(1) : an introductory section of a news story : lede edit the lead to grab the reader's attention (2) : a news story of chief importance The story of his arrest was the lead in newspapers across the country. 3 : an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device 4 : the course of a rope from end to end 5 : the amount of axial (see axial sense 2a) advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm) 6 : a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next The runner on first took a big lead. 7 : the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing lead 3 of 5 adjective ˈlēd : acting or serving as a lead (see lead entry 2) or leader a lead article lead 4 of 5 noun (2) ˈled often attributive 1 : a soft, heavy, metallic element with atomic number 82 found mostly in combination and used especially in alloys, batteries, and shields against sound, vibration, or radiation see Chemical Elements Table 2 a : a plummet for sounding at sea b leads plural, British : a usually flat lead roof c leads plural : lead framing for panes in windows d : a thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing 3 a : a thin stick of marking substance (such as graphite) in or for a pencil b : white lead 4 : bullets, projectiles 5 : tetraethyl lead lead 5 of 5 verb (2) ˈled leaded; leading; leads transitive verb 1 : to cover, line, or weight with lead (see lead entry 4) 2 : to fix (window glass) in position with leads 3 : to put space between the lines of (typeset matter) 4 : to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound leaded gasoline Phrases lead one down the garden path or less commonly lead one up the garden path : hoodwink, deceive I'd rather he be disappointed with the truth rather than lead him down the garden path Harold Robbins Did you know? When to Use Lead or Led There is some persistent confusion about lead and led. Or, we should say, there is confusion about the leads and led. Lead is both a noun and a verb, as most people know. There are several unrelated nouns spelled lead: one most commonly refers to a metal (as in, "The paint was made with lead"), and the other most commonly refers to a position of advantage (as in, "Our team was in the lead"). The verb lead is pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to a position or advantage is also pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to the metal, however, is pronounced /LED/, with a short e. To this moderately convoluted situation, add the past tense and past participle of the verb lead, which is led and pronounced like the metal noun lead with a short e. The homophonic confusion leads to homographic confusion, and you will therefore occasionally see lead in constructions where led is called for (as in, “She lead the ducklings to safety” instead of “She led the ducklings to safety”). The correct past and past participle of lead is spelled led. If you aren’t sure whether to use led or lead as the verb in your sentence, try reading it aloud to yourself. If the verb is pronounced /LED/, use led. Synonyms Verb (1) conduct direct guide marshal marshall pilot route show steer usher Noun (1) headliner principal star Adjective chief commanding first foremost head high leading preeminent premier presiding primary prime principal supereminent supreme top See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective the lead diplomat is responsible for making policy for the entire embassy Word History Etymology Verb (1), Noun (1), and Adjective Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go Noun (2) and Verb (2) Middle English leed, from Old English lēad; akin to Middle High German lōt lead First Known Use Verb (1) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun (1) 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Adjective 1828, in the meaning defined above Noun (2) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb (2) 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing lead follow someone's lead go over like a lead balloon gain the lead lead a double life lead acetate lead a charmed life go down like a lead balloon lead by example lead azide lead dioxide lead nowhere lead-pipe lead someone (around) by the nose lead story lead (someone) down/up the garden path lead the way lead the/one's eye to lead (someone) a (merry) dance lead time lead to lead to believe lead up lead with lead to the altar sing/play lead take the lead get the lead out lead carbonate lead-free lead chromate in the lead extension lead co-lead lead arsenate lead-in lead glass lead line lead on lead the pack/field tetraethyl lead lead foot lead poisoning lead off lead the world red lead lead up to lead (someone) a merry chase have/hold the lead lead anywhere lead pencil lead monoxide lead sulfide lead one's own life lead oxide white lead lead one up the garden path lead one down the garden path See More follow someone's lead go over like a lead balloon gain the lead lead a double life lead acetate lead a charmed life go down like a lead balloon lead by example lead azide lead dioxide lead nowhere lead-pipe lead someone (around) by the nose lead story lead (someone) down/up the garden path lead the way lead the/one's eye to lead (someone) a (merry) dance lead time lead to lead to believe lead up lead with lead to the altar sing/play lead take the lead get the lead out lead carbonate lead-free lead chromate in the lead extension lead co-lead lead arsenate lead-in lead glass lead line lead on lead the pack/field tetraethyl lead lead foot lead poisoning lead off lead the world red lead lead up to lead (someone) a merry chase have/hold the lead lead anywhere lead pencil lead monoxide lead sulfide lead one's own life lead oxide white lead lead one up the garden path lead one down the garden path See More Kids Definition lead 1 of 3 verb ˈlēd led ˈled ; leading 1 : to guide on a way often by going ahead You lead and we will follow. 2 : to be at the head or front part of She led the parade. 3 : to direct or guide the actions of lead an orchestra 4 : to be best, first, or ahead The champs led by 15 points. 5 : to go through : live They lead a happy life. 6 : to reach or go in a certain direction This road leads to town. lead 2 of 3 noun 1 : position at the front He took the lead. 2 : the amount or distance that a person or thing is ahead The team had a ten point lead. 3 : the main role in a movie or play 4 : something serving as an indication or clue Police followed their only lead. 5 : the first part of a news story lead 3 of 3 noun ˈled 1 : a heavy soft gray metallic element that is easily bent and shaped 2 : a long thin piece of graphite used in pencils 3 : ammunition a shower of lead Medical Definition lead 1 of 2 noun ˈlēd : a flexible or solid insulated conductor connected to or leading out from an electrical device (as an electroencephalograph) lead 2 of 2 noun ˈled often attributive 1 : a heavy soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic bluish white metallic element found mostly in combination and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity —symbol Pb see Chemical Elements Table 2 : white lead 3 : tetraethyl lead Legal Definition lead 1 of 2 transitive verb led; leading : to suggest the desired answer to (a witness) by asking leading questions lead 2 of 2 noun : something serving as a tip, indication, or clue the police have only one lead in the murder investigation lead one down the garden path phrase variants also lead one up the garden path as in string along to cause to believe what is untrue The suspect led the cops down the garden path with a series of misleading phone calls. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance string along pull one's leg suck in pull the wool over one's eyes fake out catch tease have on con buffalo do a number on hoax bluff trick dupe snow hoodwink snooker juggle deceive mislead misinform gull spoof sting put on stick delude humbug burn fool gammon bamboozle cozen misguide sucker cheat take in have beguile gaff hornswoggle kid flimflam defraud shortchange swindle skin fleece gyp chisel mulct euchre rook hustle diddle bleed squeeze Antonyms & Near Antonyms expose reveal debunk undeceive unmask uncover disclose tell show up disillusion divulge unveil disabuse uncloak disenchant See More
随便看	circular response circular saw circular tale circular tour circular vamp circular velocity circular-knit circularisatia circularisation circularisations circularise circularised circulariser circularisers circularises circularising circularities circularity circularization circularizations circularize circularized circularizers circularizes circularizing

lead

verb (1)

noun (1)

adjective

noun (2)

verb (2)

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing lead

Kids Definition

verb

noun

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun

Legal Definition

transitive verb

noun

phrase