# lead /ˈɫɛd/ (US) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lead Updated: 2026-08-15 ## Senses ### 1. to guide or show the way verb · CEFR A2 to go with someone or in front of them to show them the right way. For teachers: to conduct or escort a person or group by moving in front of them or alongside them. - The tour guide will lead the group through the ancient castle ruins. - The local sherpa agreed to lead the expedition through the treacherous mountain pass before the winter storms arrived. ### 2. to be in first place verb · CEFR B1 to be winning a race or a game. For teachers: to hold the advantage or the first position in a competition or hierarchy. - The Kenyan runner began to lead the marathon after the first ten miles. - The incumbent candidate continues to lead in the polls, though the margin has narrowed significantly over the last week. ### 3. to result in verb · CEFR B1 to cause something to happen or to reach a certain place. For teachers: to result in a particular state or to have a specific destination as a terminus. - Eating too much sugar can lead to health problems like tooth decay. - The investigation eventually led to the discovery of a massive tax evasion scheme involving several offshore accounts. ### 4. to live a certain way verb · CEFR B2 to live a particular kind of life. For teachers: to experience or go through a specific lifestyle or existence. - After retiring, they wanted to lead a quiet life in the countryside. - Despite his immense wealth, he chose to lead a modest existence, donating the majority of his earnings to local charities. ### 5. the metal noun · CEFR B2 · Technical a heavy, soft, grey metal that was often used in pipes and paint in the past. For teachers: a heavy, bluish-grey metallic element (Pb) known for its high density and low melting point. - Old houses sometimes have pipes made of lead that should be replaced. - The researchers detected high levels of lead in the soil samples collected near the abandoned battery factory. Usage: Pronounced /lɛd/, unlike the verb which is /liːd/. Teaching tip: Point out the heteronym: the metal is pronounced like 'red', but the verb is pronounced like 'read'. ### 6. winning position noun · CEFR B1 the amount by which someone is winning a game or race. For teachers: the state of being ahead in a competition or the specific margin of advantage. - The team held a two-goal lead until the final minutes of the match. - The cyclist maintained a comfortable lead over the peloton, ensuring a solo victory at the finish line. ### 7. main actor or role noun · CEFR B1 the most important actor or part in a movie or play. For teachers: the principal character or the performer who portrays that character in a production. - She was thrilled to get the lead in the school play. - The director spent months auditioning actors before finding the perfect lead for the upcoming historical drama. ### 8. a clue noun · CEFR B2 a piece of information that helps solve a mystery or crime. For teachers: a piece of evidence or information that directs an investigation toward a solution. - The police are following a new lead that might help find the missing car. - The detective spent weeks chasing down every lead, but the case remained cold until an anonymous tip arrived. ### 9. animal strap noun · CEFR A2 · British English a long strap or chain used to walk a dog. For teachers: a tether or leash used to control an animal while walking. - You must keep your dog on a lead when walking in the park. - The trainer demonstrated how to walk a reactive dog on a short lead to maintain better control in crowded areas. Teaching tip: In American English, 'leash' is much more common for this meaning. ### 10. pencil core noun · CEFR B1 the black part inside a pencil that you use for writing. For teachers: the graphite and clay core of a pencil used for marking. - I need to sharpen my pencil because the lead broke. - The artist preferred using a softer lead for shading, as it allowed for a broader range of dark tones. Usage: Pronounced /lɛd/. ### 11. electrical wire noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Technical a wire that connects a piece of electrical equipment to a power supply. For teachers: an insulated conductor used to transmit electrical energy or signals between devices. - The computer won't turn on because the power lead is loose. - The technician checked the resistance of the test leads before beginning the diagnostic procedure on the circuit board. ### 12. most important adjective · CEFR B1 the main or most important one in a group. For teachers: occupying the principal or foremost position in a sequence or hierarchy. - He is the lead singer of a very famous rock band. - The lead scientist presented the team's findings at the international conference, sparking a lively debate among the attendees. ## Examples - The blue car is in the lead. - With only one lap to go, the runner took the lead from her main rival. - The company established an early lead in the market by innovating faster than its competitors, a strategic advantage it maintained for over a decade. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.