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

leads 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lead

as in steers

to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front an enthusiastic docent led our group through the art museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

steers
guides
accompanies
directs
shows
conducts
ushers
routes
precedes
escorts
marshals
pilots
marshalls
sees
manages
attends
chaperones
controls
convoys
chaperons

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

follows
trails
tails
shadows
dogs
hounds
tailgates

as in commands

to serve as leader of a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software

Synonyms & Similar Words

commands
heads
captains
spearheads
directs
oversees
dominates
bosses
manages
controls
supervises
governs
regulates
handles
runs
superintends

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

follows
serves
obeys
submits (to)
yields (to)
complies (with)
bows (to)
defers (to)

as in accompanies

to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade

Synonyms & Similar Words

accompanies
precedes
announces
attends
heads
escorts
heralds
ushers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stops
ends
concludes
terminates
finishes
follows
tails
trails
dogs
tailgates

as in extends

to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry

Synonyms & Similar Words

extends
goes
runs
lies
heads
follows
crosses
passes
bears
spans
cuts
traverses
courses

as in guides

to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed the salesclerk led us through the maze of options now available to television buyers

Synonyms & Similar Words

guides
accompanies
shows
steers
informs
teaches
coaches
counsels
mentors
tutors
walks through
shepherds
trains
escorts
directs
supervises
pilots
sees
engineers
instructs
sways
oversees
attends
fosters
enlightens
chaperones
nurtures
inculcates
godfathers
convoys
superintends
cultivates
schools
squires
drills
briefs
chaperons
indoctrinates

leads

2 of 2

noun

plural of lead

as in principals

the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show the actor's career has really taken off since he became the lead in that prime-time drama

Synonyms & Similar Words

principals
stars
headliners
leading men
leading ladies
superstars
star turns
coprincipals
starlets
ingenues
co-principals
co-stars
ingénues
costars

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

extras
supernumeraries

as in distances

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects the runner maintained a lead of several meters all the way around the track

Synonyms & Similar Words

distances
removes
stretches
widths
lengths
spacings
spreads
heights
ways
spaces
reaches
rises
falls
areas
sweeps
throws
depths
extensions
drops
volumes
casts
altitudes
ranges
hauls
flights
clearances
breadths
shots
scopes
berths
extents

as in tips

a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert my sister got a lead on the job opening from her neighbor, who is the human resources director for the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

tips
advice
recommendations
instructions
suggestions
pointers
prompts
hints
signs
signals
solutions
feedback
observations
guidance
directions
clues
answers
assistances
warnings
reminders
counsel
tip-offs
advisements
urgings
cautions
briefs
telltales

as in clues

a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation) the police are now working on several leads generated by the evidence gathered at the crime scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

clues
indications
cues
hints
suggestions
signs
ideas
inklings
intimations
mentions
suspicions
glimpses
implications
signals
prompts
winds
whiffs
evidences
tips
keys
inferences
glimmers
inspirations
presages
feelings
flickers
breaths
hunches
scents
allusions
nods
notions
pointers
insinuations
guideposts
symptoms
intuitions
assistances
winks
tokens
overtones
innuendos
marks
premonitions
harbingers
denotations
telltales
tip-offs
presentiments
foreshadowers
foretastes
innuendoes
omens
forebodings
portents
prefigurements
auguries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

solutions
answers

单词	leads
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 leads 1 of 2 verb present tense third-person singular of lead 1 as in steers to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front an enthusiastic docent led our group through the art museum Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance steers guides accompanies directs shows conducts ushers routes precedes escorts marshals pilots marshalls sees manages attends chaperones controls convoys chaperons Antonyms & Near Antonyms follows trails tails shadows dogs hounds tailgates See More 2 as in commands to serve as leader of a senior programmer is leading the team that is developing the new accounting software Synonyms & Similar Words commands heads captains spearheads directs oversees dominates bosses manages controls supervises governs regulates handles runs superintends Antonyms & Near Antonyms follows serves obeys submits (to) yields (to) complies (with) bows (to) defers (to) See More 3 as in accompanies to be at the front of the local high school's marching band led the parade Synonyms & Similar Words accompanies precedes announces attends heads escorts heralds ushers Antonyms & Near Antonyms stops ends concludes terminates finishes follows tails trails dogs tailgates See More 4 as in extends to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction this old road leads to an abandoned quarry Synonyms & Similar Words extends goes runs lies heads follows crosses passes bears spans cuts traverses courses 5 as in guides to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed the salesclerk led us through the maze of options now available to television buyers Synonyms & Similar Words guides accompanies shows steers informs teaches coaches counsels mentors tutors walks through shepherds trains escorts directs supervises pilots sees engineers instructs sways oversees attends fosters enlightens chaperones nurtures inculcates godfathers convoys superintends cultivates schools squires drills briefs chaperons indoctrinates leads 2 of 2 noun plural of lead 1 as in principals the person who has the most important role in a play, movie, or TV show the actor's career has really taken off since he became the lead in that prime-time drama Synonyms & Similar Words principals stars headliners leading men leading ladies superstars star turns coprincipals starlets ingenues co-principals co-stars ingénues costars Antonyms & Near Antonyms extras supernumeraries 2 as in distances the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects the runner maintained a lead of several meters all the way around the track Synonyms & Similar Words distances removes stretches widths lengths spacings spreads heights ways spaces reaches rises falls areas sweeps throws depths extensions drops volumes casts altitudes ranges hauls flights clearances breadths shots scopes berths extents 3 as in tips a piece of advice or useful information especially from an expert my sister got a lead on the job opening from her neighbor, who is the human resources director for the company Synonyms & Similar Words tips advice recommendations instructions suggestions pointers prompts hints signs signals solutions feedback observations guidance directions clues answers assistances warnings reminders counsel tip-offs advisements urgings cautions briefs telltales 4 as in clues a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation) the police are now working on several leads generated by the evidence gathered at the crime scene Synonyms & Similar Words clues indications cues hints suggestions signs ideas inklings intimations mentions suspicions glimpses implications signals prompts winds whiffs evidences tips keys inferences glimmers inspirations presages feelings flickers breaths hunches scents allusions nods notions pointers insinuations guideposts symptoms intuitions assistances winks tokens overtones innuendos marks premonitions harbingers denotations telltales tip-offs presentiments foreshadowers foretastes innuendoes omens forebodings portents prefigurements auguries Antonyms & Near Antonyms solutions answers
随便看	noncom noncombat noncombatant noncombatants noncombative allegement allegements allegers alleges allegges Alleghanyite alleghenian alleghenians alleghenieses Allegheny Allegheny barberry allegheny fringe Allegheny Mountains Allegheny spurge Allegheny vine allegiance allegiances allegiant allegiants alleging

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

verb

noun