English dictionary
lead
/l/E/d/
Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.
noun
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an advantage held by a competitor in a race
ExamplesHe took the lead at the last turn.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
ExamplesThe children were playing with lead soldiers.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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evidence pointing to a possible solution
ExamplesThe police are following a promising lead.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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a position of leadership (especially in the phrase `take the lead')
ExamplesHe takes the lead in any group.
We were just waiting for someone to take the lead.
They didn't follow our lead.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
Source: WordNet 3.0
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the introductory section of a story
ExamplesIt was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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(sports) the score by which a team or individual is winning
Antonyms deficitSource: WordNet 3.0
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an actor who plays a principal role
Source: WordNet 3.0
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(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
ExamplesHe took a long lead off first.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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an indication of potential opportunity
ExamplesA good lead for a job.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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a news story of major importance
Synonyms lead storySource: WordNet 3.0
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the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
Synonyms spark advanceSource: WordNet 3.0
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restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
Source: WordNet 3.0
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thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
Synonyms leadingSource: WordNet 3.0
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mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
Synonyms pencil leadSource: WordNet 3.0
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a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
ExamplesIt was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
ExamplesThe lead was in the dummy.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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One of the elements, a heavy, pliable, inelastic metal, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished. It is both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity, and is used for tubes, sheets, bullets, etc. Its specific gravity is 11.37. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic weight, 206.4. Symbol Pb (L. <i>Plumbum</i>). It is chiefly obtained from the mineral galena, lead sulphide.
Source: webster1913
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The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction; as, to take the <i>lead</i>; to be under the <i>lead</i> of another.
Source: webster1913
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The announcement by one voice part of a theme to be repeated by the other parts.
Source: webster1913
verb
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take somebody somewhere
ExamplesWe lead him to our chief.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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have as a result or residue
Source: WordNet 3.0
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tend to or result in
ExamplesThis remark lead to further arguments among the guests.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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travel in front of; go in advance of others
Synonyms headSource: WordNet 3.0
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cause to undertake a certain action
Source: WordNet 3.0
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stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
Source: WordNet 3.0
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be in charge of
Source: WordNet 3.0
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be ahead of others; be the first
Synonyms topSource: WordNet 3.0
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be conducive to
ExamplesThe use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing.
Source: WordNet 3.0
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lead, as in the performance of a composition
Source: WordNet 3.0
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lead, extend, or afford access
Synonyms goSource: WordNet 3.0
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move ahead (of others) in time or space
Source: WordNet 3.0
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cause something to pass or lead somewhere
Synonyms runSource: WordNet 3.0
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preside over
Source: WordNet 3.0
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To cover, fill, or affect with lead; as, continuous firing <i>leads</i> the grooves of a rifle.
Source: webster1913
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To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact or connection; as, a father <i>leads</i> a child; a jockey <i>leads</i> a horse with a halter; a dog <i>leads</i> a blind man.
Source: webster1913
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To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preëminence; to be first or chief; -- used in most of the senses of <i>lead</i>, <pos><i>v. t.</i></pos>
Source: webster1913