English dictionary
lead
nounAudio pronunciation
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
noun
- a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase ‘take the lead’)
noun
- a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
noun
- mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
noun
- thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
noun
- restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
noun
- the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
noun
- an advantage held by a competitor in a race
noun
- evidence pointing to a possible solution
noun
- the introductory section of a story
noun
- a news story of major importance
noun
- an indication of potential opportunity
noun
- (baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
noun
- an actor who plays a principal role
noun
- (sports) the score by which a team or individual is winning
noun
- the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
noun
- a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
verb
- cause to undertake a certain action
verb
- preside over
verb
- lead, as in the performance of a composition
verb
- move ahead (of others) in time or space
verb
- travel in front of; go in advance of others
verb
- take somebody somewhere
verb
- be in charge of
verb
- be conducive to
verb
- produce as a result or residue
verb
- tend to or result in
verb
- stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
verb
- lead, extend, or afford access
verb
- cause something to pass or lead somewhere
verb
- be ahead of others; be the first
Example sentences
the lead was in the dummy
he takes the lead in any group
we were just waiting for someone to take the lead
they didn't follow our lead
it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
he took the lead at the last turn
the police are following a promising lead
the trail led straight to the perpetrator
it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
he got a tip on the stock market
a good lead for a job
he took a long lead off first
the children were playing with lead soldiers
Her greed led her to forge the checks
John moderated the discussion
conduct an orchestra
Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
The procession was headed by John
we led him to our chief
can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
Who is heading this project?
The use of computers in the classroom led to better writing
The water left a mark on the silk dress
Her blood left a stain on the napkin
This remark led to further arguments among the guests
Service runs all the way to Cranbury
His knowledge doesn't go very far
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
This door goes to the basement
The road runs South
Run the wire behind the cabinet
she topped her class every year