lead

The word “lead” means a soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal, chemical symbol Pb. In plain terms, either the heavy metal, or the act of guiding/being ahead of others.

“Lead” is pronounced LEHD (/ˈlɛd/ in IPA).

Here is “lead” used in a sentence: “Old paint often contained lead, which is now known to be toxic.”

Depending on how it is used, “lead” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “lead” comes from Old English. The metal sense comes from Old English lēad. The verb "to lead" (guide) is a separate, unrelated word from the same Old English root as "load.".

“Lead” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Lead” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal, chemical symbol Pb.

Yes. Lead is toxic, and exposure can build up in the body over time, harming the brain, nerves, and other organs. Children are especially vulnerable. Because of this, lead has been removed from most modern paint, petrol, and water pipes, though older buildings and materials can still contain it.

Lead is dense, soft, and resistant to corrosion, so it has long been used in car batteries, roofing, radiation shielding, and weights. It was once common in paint, petrol, and plumbing, but many of those uses have been phased out as the health risks of lead became clear.

Lead is a heavy, soft, bluish-grey metal with the chemical symbol Pb. It is dense yet easy to bend and shape, melts at a relatively low temperature, and resists corrosion. These qualities made it useful for centuries, though its toxicity now limits where it can safely be used.

Lead is a homograph — two different words spelled the same. The metal, pronounced 'led', comes from Old English. The verb meaning to guide, pronounced 'leed', has a separate origin. Only context and pronunciation tell you whether lead means the metal or the act of leading.