transitive verb led, leading lead′·ing

1. 1. to show the way to, or direct the course of, by going before or along with; conduct; guide
   2. to show (the way) in this manner
   3. to mark the way for lights to lead you there
2. to guide, or cause to follow one, by physical contact, holding the hand, pulling a rope, etc. to lead a horse by the bridle
3. to conduct (water, steam, rope, etc.) in a certain direction, channel, or the like
4. 1. to guide or direct, as by persuasion or influence, to a course of action or thought to lead pupils to think clearly
   2. to cause; prompt trouble that led him to drink
5. to be the head of; specif.,
   1. to proceed at the front of (a parade, etc.)
   2. to act as chief officer of; command the operations of (a military unit)
   3. to direct operations of (an expedition, etc.)
   4. to direct, conduct, or serve as the leader or conductor of (an orchestra, ballet, etc.)
6. 1. to be the first or foremost among; be at the head of to lead one's class in grades
   2. to be ahead of by a specified margin
7. 1. to live; spend; pass to lead a hard life
   2. to cause to live or spend to lead someone a dog's life
8. to aim a rifle, throw a ball, etc. just ahead of (a moving target or receiver)
9. Card Games to begin the play with (a specified card or suit); lay down as the first card or suit of a hand or round

Etymology: ME leden < OE lædan, caus. of lithan, to travel, go, akin to Ger leiten: for IE base see load

intransitive verb

1. to show the way by going before or along; act as guide
2. to be led; submit to being led: said esp. of a horse
3. to be or form a way (to, from, under, etc.); tend in a certain direction; go
4. to come, or bring one, as a result: with to one thing led to another, a cold can lead to pneumonia
5. to be or go first; act as leader
6. ☆ Boxing to aim a first blow or one designed to test an opponent's defense to lead with a right jab
7. Card Games to play the first card of a hand or round

noun

1. the part of director or leader; leadership to take the lead in a project
2. example follow my lead
3. 1. first or front place; precedence the horse in the lead
   2. the amount or distance that one is ahead to hold a safe lead
4. leash (sense )
5. anything that leads or serves as a clue
6. information that directs a salesperson to a potential customer, a source of new business, etc.
7. a long, narrow, navigable passage in an ice pack or ice field
8. 1. the most important news story, as in a newspaper or telecast
   2. the opening words or paragraph of a news story, containing all the essential facts of the story
9. ☆ Baseball a position taken by a base runner a short distance from his or her base in the direction of the next
10. ☆ Boxing the act of leading, or the blow used
11. Card Games the act or right of playing first, as in a hand, or the card or suit played
12. Elec. a wire carrying current between two points in a circuit, between devices, etc.
13. ☆ Mining a stratum of ore; lode, ledge, or vein
14. Music the leading part or main melody in a harmonic composition
15. Naut. the course of a rope
16. Theater
    1. the principal role, or a main role, in a play or other production
    2. the actor or actress who plays such a role

adjective

noun

1. a heavy, soft, malleable, bluish-gray metallic chemical element used in batteries and in numerous alloys and compounds: symbol, Pb; at. no., 82
2. anything made of this metal; specif.,
   1. a weight for measuring depth of water at sea, in a harbor, etc.: it is attached to a line and tossed over the side of a ship
   2. any of the strips of lead used to hold the individual panes in ornamental windows: usually used in pl.
   3. Brit. sheets of lead used for covering a roof
   4. Printing a thin strip of type metal inserted to increase the space between lines of type
3. bullets
4. a thin stick of graphite, used in pencils

Etymology: ME lede < OE lead, akin to Du lood, Ger lot, plummet, prob. < Celt (as in MIr luaide, lead) < IE *ploud-, *pleud- < *pleu-, to flow < base *pel-, to flow, pour > L pluere, to rain, OIr lu-, to move

adjective

transitive verb

1. to cover, line, weight, or fasten with lead or leads
2. Ceramics to glaze (pottery) with a glaze made primarily of lead
3. Printing to increase the space between (lines of type) by inserting thin strips of type metal