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lead

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verb American English pronunciation: lead /lid/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theylead
he/she/itleads
present participleleading
past tenseled
past participleled
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to walk, drive, fly, sail, etc. in front of a group of people, vehicles, planes, ships, etc.

    Leading the mourners were his widow and 14-year-old daughter.

    She led us down the hill.

    lead someone into something:

    He led his men into battle.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
    1. a.
      [transitive] to show someone the way to a place by going there with them

      After showing us the dining room, the real estate agent led us into the kitchen.

      lead the way (=show others the way to a place):

      Sheila turned and led the way downstairs.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
    2. b.
      [transitive] to take or pull a person or animal somewhere by holding onto them or onto something fastened to them

      She took the boy by the hand and led him from the room.

      Dismounting, I led the horse by the reins back to the stable.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
    3. c.
      [intransitive/transitive] if something such as a road, river, or door leads in a particular direction or to a particular place, or if it leads you there, it goes in that direction or to that place

      The pipe leads from the water heater to the bathroom upstairs.

      We followed a dirt track leading through the woods.

      The road leads west for three miles, then turns south.

      This door leads you to a large entrance hall.

      a narrow alleyway leading off High Street

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to be winning at a particular time during a race or competition

    The polls show the Republicans leading with only 10 days left until the election.

    lead someone by something:

    The Giants led the Lions at the half by a score of 10 to 7.

    lead the field:

    Johnson led the field throughout the final day of the race.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to be the most successful, popular, or advanced of all the people, groups, organizations, etc. involved in a particular activity
      lead the world (in something):

      They lead the world in oil production.

      lead the field:

      New York still leads the field as the top American vacation destination.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
  3. 3
    [transitive] to be in control of an organization, group of people, or activity

    She led the software development team during the project.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to be in control of the way in which a discussion or conversation develops

      I asked Ned to lead the discussion.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
  4. 4
    [transitive] to cause someone to do something
    lead someone to do something:

    He said differences over foreign policy had led him to resign.

    I had been led to believe that the job was mine if I wanted it.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
  5. 5
    [transitive] to live your life in a particular way
    lead a good/happy/busy/quiet etc. life:

    He had always led a quiet life until he met Emma.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead
  6. 6
    [intransitive/transitive] to begin a part of a card game by playing a particular card
    lead with:

    She led with the eight of spades.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of lead

phrases

This is the American English definition of lead. View British English definition of lead.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for lead.

 

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