lead 1 (l d)v. led (l d), lead·ing, leads v.tr.1. To show the way to by going in advance. 2. To guide or direct in a course: lead a horse by the halter. See Synonyms at guide. 3. a. To serve as a route for; take: The path led them to a cemetery. b. To be a channel or conduit for (water or electricity, for example). 4. To guide the behavior or opinion of; induce: led us to believe otherwise. 5. a. To direct the performance or activities of: lead an orchestra. b. To inspire the conduct of: led the nation in its crisis. 6. To play a principal or guiding role in: lead a discussion; led the antiwar movement. 7. a. To go or be at the head of: The queen led the procession. My name led the list. b. To be ahead of: led the runner-up by three strides. c. To be foremost in or among: led the field in nuclear research; led her teammates in free throws. 8. To pass or go through; live: lead an independent life. 9. To begin or open with, as in games: led an ace. 10. To guide (a partner) in dancing. 11. a. To aim in front of (a moving target). b. Sports To pass a ball or puck ahead of (a moving teammate) so that the player can receive the pass without changing direction or losing momentum. v.intr.1. To be first; be ahead. 2. To go first as a guide. 3. To act as commander, director, or guide. 4. To afford a passage, course, or route: a road that leads over the mountains; a door leading to the pantry. 5. To tend toward a certain goal or result: a remark that led to further discussion; policies that led to disaster. 6. To make the initial play, as in a game or contest. 7. To begin a presentation or an account in a given way: The announcer led with the day's top stories. 8. a. To guide a dance partner. b. To start a dance step on a specified foot. 9. Baseball To advance a few paces away from one's base toward the next while the pitcher is in the delivery. Used of a base runner. 10. Sports To begin an attack in boxing with a specified hand or punch: led with a right to the body. n.1. a. The first or foremost position. b. One occupying such a position; a leader. c. The initiative: took the lead in setting the pace of the project. 2. The margin by which one holds a position of advantage or superiority: held a lead of nine points at the half. 3. a. Information pointing toward a possible solution; a clue: followed a promising lead in the murder case. b. An indication of potential opportunity; a tip: a good lead for a job. 4. Command; leadership: took over the lead of the company. 5. An example; a precedent: followed his sister's lead in running for office. 6. a. The principal role in a dramatic production. b. The person playing such a role. 7. a. The introductory portion of a news story. b. An important, usually prominently displayed news story. 8. Games a. The first play. b. The prerogative or turn to make the first play: The lead passes to the player on the left. c. A card played first in a round. 9. Baseball A position taken by a base runner away from one base in the direction of the next. 10. Sports A blow in boxing that begins a series or exchange of punches. 11. A leash. 12. Geology a. A deposit of gold ore in an old riverbed. 13. Electronics A conductor by which one circuit element is electrically connected to another. 14. Nautical The direction in which a line runs. 15. The distance aimed in front of a moving target. 16. A channel of open water created by a break in a mass of ice. adj.1. First or foremost: the lead leg on a surfboard. 2. Most important: the lead author of a research paper. Phrasal Verbs: lead off1. To begin; start. 2. Baseball To be the first batter in an inning. lead on1. To keep in a state of expectation or hope; entice. 2. To mislead; deceive. Idioms: lead the way1. To show a course or route by going in advance. 2. To be foremost in an endeavor or trend: The firm led the way in the application of new technology. lead up to1. To result in by a series of steps: events leading up to the coup. 2. To proceed toward (a main topic) with preliminary remarks.
[Middle English leden, from Old English l dan; see leit- in Indo-European roots.] | 
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