lead

Noun

• the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
  • the lead was in the dummy
    

• a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
  • it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
    

• mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil

• thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

• restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal

• the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine

• a news story of major importance

• an indication of potential opportunity
  • he got a tip on the stock market
    
  • a good lead for a job
    

• (baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
  • he took a long lead off first
    

• an actor who plays a principal role

• (sports) the score by which a team or individual is winning

• the introductory section of a story
  • it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
    

• the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)

• a position of leadership (especially in the phrase `take the lead')
  • he takes the lead in any group
    
  • we were just waiting for someone to take the lead
    
  • they didn't follow our lead
    

• evidence pointing to a possible solution
  • the police are following a promising lead
    
  • the trail led straight to the perpetrator
    

• a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
  • the children were playing with lead soldiers
    

• an advantage held by a competitor in a race
  • he took the lead at the last turn
    

Verb

• preside over
  • John moderated the discussion
    

• cause something to pass or lead somewhere
  • Run the wire behind the cabinet
    

• move ahead (of others) in time or space

• lead, extend, or afford access
  • This door goes to the basement
    
  • The road runs South
    

• lead, as in the performance of a composition; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years"
  • conduct an orchestra
    

• be conducive to
  • The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
    

• be ahead of others; be the first
  • she topped her class every year
    

• be in charge of
  • Who is heading this project?
    

• stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
  • Service runs all the way to Cranbury
    
  • His knowledge doesn't go very far
    
  • My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
    
  • The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
    

• cause to undertake a certain action
  • Her greed led her to forge the checks
    

• travel in front of; go in advance of others
  • The procession was headed by John
    

• tend to or result in
  • This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
    

• have as a result or residue
  • The water left a mark on the silk dress
    
  • Her blood left a stain on the napkin
    

• take somebody somewhere
  • We lead him to our chief
    
  • can you take me to the main entrance?
    
  • He conducted us to the palace
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  jumper cable , jumper lead , booster cable , pencil lead , leading , leash , tether , spark advance , lead story , tip , steer , confidential information , wind , hint , star , principal , lead-in , lede , track , trail , Pb , atomic number 82 , moderate , chair , run , precede , go , conduct , direct , contribu
• Antonyms: 
  deficit , follow