Lead
liːd / lɛd
Definitions
6 meaningsTo guide or direct someone or something along a course or in a specified direction.
liːd
To guide or direct someone or something.
The tour guide led us through the museum.
💡 Simply: Think of it like being the captain on a team. You're the one telling everyone what to do and where to go, like when you're leading a game or leading your friends to the ice cream shop.
👶 For kids: To show the way or go first.
More Examples
Can you lead me to the exit?
The general led his troops into battle.
She chose to lead the project.
How It's Used
"The CEO will lead the company through the next phase of expansion."
"She led the children to the park."
"The Prime Minister led the negotiations."
To be ahead of others in a race, competition, or other activity.
liːd
To be in a commanding position; to be at the front.
The blue team is leading in the score.
💡 Simply: Think of a race or a game: If you're in front, like you're winning, you're leading. It's like being the number one in a contest!
👶 For kids: To be winning or be in front.
More Examples
The first runner led the race for most of the time.
His company leads the market.
The evidence leads to the opposite conclusion.
How It's Used
"Our team is currently leading in the tournament."
"The company leads the market in sales."
"The red car led the race for the first five laps."
To cause someone or something to be in a particular state or condition.
liːd
To cause someone to do or think something; influence.
The detective's clues led him to the suspect.
💡 Simply: It's like when one thing makes another thing happen. If the rain leads to puddles, it means the rain causes the puddles to form.
👶 For kids: To make something happen.
More Examples
His curiosity led him to open the box.
The advertisement leads consumers to buy the product.
A series of events led to her promotion.
How It's Used
"The evidence led him to believe she was guilty."
"The advertisements lead people to desire the product."
"His emotions led him to make a rash decision."
A heavy, soft, greyish metal that is used in batteries, pipes, and shielding.
lɛd
A heavy metal.
Lead pipes were common in older buildings.
💡 Simply: It's a heavy metal, like the stuff they used to use for pipes, or the stuff in your car battery.
👶 For kids: A heavy, gray metal.
More Examples
The scientist studied the properties of lead.
Exposure to lead can be very dangerous to your health.
How It's Used
"Lead is a dense metal used in batteries."
"Pipes are sometimes made of lead."
"Lead poisoning is a serious health risk."
The amount or degree by which someone or something is ahead.
liːd
The position of someone who is leading.
The team lost their lead in the last quarter.
💡 Simply: It’s like the points you have in a game if you’re winning. If you have more points than the other team, you have the lead.
👶 For kids: The winning place or the number of points you have more than others in the game
More Examples
The company has a significant lead in market share.
The lead changed hands several times during the debate.
How It's Used
"Our team managed to hold their lead in the final minutes."
"The company has maintained a significant lead over its competitors."
"The lead in the race was constantly changing."
A piece of information that helps solve a problem or understand a situation.
liːd
A clue that leads to a solution or understanding.
The detective followed the leads until he found the criminal.
💡 Simply: It's like a hint or a clue that helps you find out something, like the solution to a mystery. It could be something a detective finds.
👶 For kids: A clue that helps you find something.
More Examples
Investigators are pursuing every lead in the case.
The police are following up on a fresh lead.
How It's Used
"The detective followed the lead, and found a clue."
"The police are following up all possible leads."
"Each clue is a lead."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
lead the way
To go first; to show someone how to do something.
"The tour guide will lead the way through the museum."
take the lead
To become the leader; to be in the position of authority or advantage.
"The company took the lead in developing new technology."
follow someone's lead
To do what someone else does, or to do what someone else suggests.
"I'm going to follow her lead and order the same dish."
lead time
The amount of time between the initiation and the completion of a process
"The lead time for manufacturing the product is about six weeks."
From Old English *lǣdan* "to guide, conduct" (verb), and *lēad* "a heavy metal" (noun), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *laidijaną and *laudą respectively. The verb usage evolved before the noun's meaning (metal) became as prominent in usage.
The verb 'lead' (to guide) dates back to Old English, while the noun 'lead' (metal) is also very old. Usage has varied across centuries, but the basic meanings have remained.
Memory tip
Imagine a friendly dog guiding you through a crowded street; it 'leads' you safely.
Word Origin
"To guide, conduct; Heavy metal"