lead
lead /ˈliːd/
noun
-
(
)
An advantage held by a competitor in a race
(
lead
)
an advantage held by a competitor in a race
He took the lead at the last turn
he took the lead at the last turn
-
()
A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
(
atomic number 82
, Pb
, lead
)
a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
The children were playing with lead soldiers
the children were playing with lead soldiers
-
()
A position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase 'take the lead')
(
lead
)
a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase 'take the lead')
He takes the lead in any group
he takes the lead in any group
We were just waiting for someone to take the lead
we were just waiting for someone to take the lead
They didn't follow our lead
they didn't follow our lead
-
()
Evidence pointing to a possible solution
(
track
, trail
, lead
)
evidence pointing to a possible solution
The police are following a promising lead
the police are following a promising lead
The trail led straight to the perpetrator
the trail led straight to the perpetrator
-
()
The introductory section of a story
(
lead-in
, lede
, lead
)
the introductory section of a story
It was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
-
()
The angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
(
lead
)
the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
-
The playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
(
lead
)
the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
The lead was in the dummy
the lead was in the dummy
-
A jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
(
booster cable
[ N. American] , jumper cable
[ N. American] , jumper lead
[ N. American] , lead
, jump lead
[British] )
a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
It was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
-
Mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
(
lead
, pencil lead
)
mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
-
Thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
(
lead
, leading
)
thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
-
Restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
(
lead
, tether
, leash
)
restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
He grabbed his dog's leash for their morning walk.
He grabbed his dog's leash for their morning walk.
-
The timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
(
lead
, spark advance
)
the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
-
A news story of major importance
(
lead
, lead story
)
a news story of major importance
-
An indication of potential opportunity
(
confidential information
, hint
, lead
, steer
, tip
, wind
)
an indication of potential opportunity
He got a tip on the stock market
he got a tip on the stock market
A good lead for a job
a good lead for a job
-
(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
(
lead
)
(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
He took a long lead off first
he took a long lead off first
-
An actor who plays a principal role
(
lead
, principal
, star
)
an actor who plays a principal role
-
(sport) the score by which a team or individual is winning
(
lead
)
(sport) the score by which a team or individual is winning
verb
-
()
Take somebody somewhere
(
conduct
, direct
, guide
, lead
, take
)
take somebody somewhere
We lead him to our chief
We lead him to our chief
Can you take me to the main entrance?
can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
He conducted us to the palace
-
()
Produce as a result or residue
(
leave
, lead
, result
)
produce as a result or residue
The water left a mark on the silk dress
The water left a mark on the silk dress
Her blood left a stain on the napkin
Her blood left a stain on the napkin
-
()
Tend to or result in
(
lead
)
tend to or result in
This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
-
()
Cause to undertake a certain action
(
lead
)
cause to undertake a certain action
Her greed led her to forge the checks
Her greed led her to forge the checks
-
()
Travel in front of; go in advance of others
(
head
, lead
)
travel in front of; go in advance of others
The procession was headed by John
The procession was headed by John
-
()
Be in charge of
(
lead
, head
)
be in charge of
Who is heading this project?
Who is heading this project?
-
()
Stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
(
pass
, go
, lead
, extend
, run
)
stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
Service runs all the way to Cranbury
Service runs all the way to Cranbury
His knowledge doesn't go very far
His knowledge doesn't go very far
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
-
()
Be ahead of others; be the first
(
top
, lead
)
be ahead of others; be the first
She topped her class every year
she topped her class every year
-
()
Be conducive to
(
conduce
, lead
, contribute
)
be conducive to
The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
-
()
(music) Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition
(
direct
, lead
, conduct
)
(music) Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition
Conduct an orchestra; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
conduct an orchestra; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
-
()
Lead, extend, or afford access
(
go
, lead
)
lead, extend, or afford access
This door goes to the basement
This door goes to the basement
The road runs South
The road runs South
-
()
Move ahead (of others) in time or space
(
precede
, lead
)
move ahead (of others) in time or space
-
()
Cause something to pass or lead somewhere
(
lead
, run
)
cause something to pass or lead somewhere
Run the wire behind the cabinet
Run the wire behind the cabinet
-
Preside over
(
chair
, lead
, moderate
)
preside over
John moderated the discussion
John moderated the discussion
