First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1lead
verb \ˈlēd\
led \ˈled\ lead·ing
Definition of LEAD
transitive verb
1
a : to guide on a way especially by going in advance b : to direct on a course or in a direction c : to serve as a channel for <a pipe leads water to the house>
2
: to go through : live <lead a quiet life>
3
a (1) : to direct the operations, activity, or performance of <lead an orchestra> (2) : to have charge of <lead a campaign> (3) : to ask (a witness) a question in a way that suggests what the answer should be : to ask (a witness) a leading question b (1) : to go at the head of <lead a parade> (2) : to be first in or among <lead the league> (3) : to have a margin over <led his opponent>
4
: to bring to some conclusion or condition <led to believe otherwise>
5
: to begin play with <lead trumps>
6
a : to aim in front of (a moving object) <lead a duck> b : to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
intransitive verb
1
a : to guide someone or something along a way b : to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction <path leads uphill> c : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
3
: to tend toward or have a result <study leading to a degree>
4
: to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
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Origin of LEAD
Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English līthan to go
Synonym Discussion of LEAD
guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed. guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers <guided the scouts through the cave>. lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order <led his team to victory>. steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly <steered the ship through a narrow channel>. pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course <piloted the bill through the Senate>. engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan <engineered his son's election to the governorship>.
2lead
noun \ˈlēd\
Definition of LEAD
1
a (1) : leadership (2) : example, precedent b (1) : position at the front : vanguard (2) : initiative (3) : the act or privilege of playing first in a card game; also : the card or suit played first c : a margin or measure of advantage or superiority or position in advance
2
3
: an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
4
: the course of a rope from end to end
5
: the amount of axial advance of a point accompanying a complete turn of a thread (as of a screw or worm)
6
: a position taken by a base runner off a base toward the next
7
: the first punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
— lead·less \-ləs\ adjective
Origin of LEAD
(see 1lead)
First Known Use: 15th century
3lead
adjective \ˈlēd\
Definition of LEAD
Origin of LEAD
(see 1lead)
First Known Use: 1828
4lead
noun, often attributive \ˈled\
Definition of LEAD
1
: a bluish-white soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic heavy metallic element found mostly in combination and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity — see element table
2
3
a : a thin stick of marking substance (as graphite) in or for a pencil b : white lead
4
Origin of LEAD
Middle English leed, from Old English lēad; akin to Middle High German lōt lead
First Known Use: before 12th century
5lead
verb \ˈled\
Definition of LEAD
transitive verb
1
: to cover, line, or weight with lead (see 4lead)
2
: to fix (window glass) in position with leads
3
: to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)
4
: to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound <leaded gasoline>
Origin of LEAD
(see 4lead)
First Known Use: 14th century
LEADED Defined for Kids
1lead
verb \ˈlēd\
led \ˈled\lead·ing
Definition of LEAD for Kids
1
: to guide on a way often by going ahead <You lead and we will follow.>
2
: to be at the head or front part of <She led the parade.>
3
: to direct or guide the actions of <lead an orchestra>
4
: to be best, first, or ahead <The champs led by 15 points.>
5
: to go through : live <They lead a happy life.>
6
: to reach or go in a certain direction <This road leads to town.>
2lead
noun
Definition of LEAD for Kids
1
: position at the front <He took the lead.>
2
: the amount or distance that a person or thing is ahead <The team had a ten point lead.>
3
: the main role in a movie or play
4
: something serving as an indication or clue <Police followed their only lead.>
5
: the first part of a news story
3lead
noun \ˈled\
Definition of LEAD for Kids
1
: a heavy soft gray metallic element that is easily bent and shaped
2
: a long thin piece of graphite used in pencils
3
: ammunition <a shower of lead>
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