lead

Meanings

1. 1nounusually singular

   The first position in a race or contest, or the amount by which you are ahead of others.

   Grammar: Often follows the or a: take the lead, a narrow lead.

   Patterns

   • take the lead
   • have a lead over someone
   • in the lead

   The runner from Kenya took the lead in the final lap.

   The home team held a two-goal lead at halftime.

   Our candidate is in the lead after the first count.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To go in front of others to show them the way, or to guide a person or animal by going with them.

   Grammar: Can take an object (lead the group) or stand alone (she led, we followed).

   Patterns

   • lead someone to something
   • lead the way
   • lead someone through something

   The guide led us through the narrow streets of the old town.

   She led the horse slowly back into the barn.

   Follow me and I will lead the way.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   To be in charge of a group, project or organization and direct what it does.

   Grammar: Takes a group or project as object: lead a team, lead a campaign.

   Patterns

   • lead a team
   • lead a project
   • lead by example

   Maria will lead the new research team next year.

   He leads the choir with great patience.

   A good manager leads by example.

4. 4verbintransitive

   To cause something to happen, or to result in a particular outcome.

   Grammar: Needs to: smoking can lead to illness.

   Patterns

   • lead to something
   • lead someone to do something

   Poor sleep can lead to mistakes at work.

   The long argument led to a quiet apology.

   What led you to apply for this job?

5. 5nouncountable

   A hint or piece of information that may help solve a problem or crime.

   Grammar: Often used for investigations: follow a lead, a promising lead.

   Patterns

   • a lead on something

   Detectives followed a new lead on the missing painting.

   The reporter got a lead from an anonymous caller.

6. 6noununcountablechemistry

   A soft, heavy, gray metal, symbol Pb, once common in pipes, paint and batteries; pronounced like led.

   Grammar: Pronounced /led/, unlike the verb: lead pipes, lead poisoning.

   Patterns

   • lead in something

   Old pipes made of lead can contaminate drinking water.

   Fishermen once used pieces of lead as weights.

   Modern paint no longer contains lead.

Word forms

Common combinations

take the lead

Someone has to take the lead in organizing the trip.

lead the way

The scientists led the way in developing the vaccine.

lead to

Small savings can lead to big results over time.

lead a normal life

After surgery she was able to lead a normal life.

lead by example

Good teachers lead by example.

narrow lead

The party held a narrow lead in the final poll.

Synonyms and how they differ

guide

Guide stresses showing the way to someone unfamiliar with it, whereas lead can also mean being in charge.

head

Head as a verb suggests being at the top of a group or list, and sounds a little more formal than lead.

direct

Direct focuses on giving orders and controlling activities, while lead suggests going first and inspiring others.

cause

Cause names the direct origin of something, whereas lead to often describes a longer chain of results.

Opposites

Word family

leader noun

a person who leads a group

leadership noun

the position or skill of leading

leading adjective

most important or in first place

misleading adjective

giving a wrong idea

lead-free adjective

containing no lead metal

Commonly confused: lead or led? lead or leed?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “lead”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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