lead
LEHD
Lead (noun) means a soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal, chemical symbol Pb. Example: “Old paint often contained lead, which is now known to be toxic.”
noun
1
A soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal, chemical symbol Pb.
"Old paint often contained lead, which is now known to be toxic."
"The fishing weights were made of lead and sank straight to the bottom."
"Plumbers once used pipes made of lead, but they are rarely installed now."
2
The state of being ahead in a race, contest, or competition.
"The runner built a comfortable lead in the final lap."
"Our team took the lead early and never gave it up."
"With a narrow lead at half-time, the home crowd grew hopeful."
3
The main role in a film, play, or performance, or the person who plays it.
"She landed the lead in the school production."
"He was nervous about playing the lead in the village pantomime."
"The lead in the new drama is a young actor from Leeds."
4
A piece of information that may help solve a case or investigation.
"The detective followed up on a promising new lead."
"A neighbour's tip gave the police a useful lead on the missing bicycle."
"Journalists chased every lead, but none of them went anywhere."
verb
1
To guide or direct a person, group, or activity.
"She was chosen to lead the new marketing team."
"The trail leads down to a hidden waterfall."
"Our guide will lead us through the forest and back before dark."
How to use lead
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the heavy metal, or the act of guiding/being ahead of others.
Common mistake
The metal "lead" rhymes with "bed," while the verb "lead" (to guide) rhymes with "seed" — easy to mix up in writing since they're spelled the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lead a team
take the lead
lead pipe
lead role
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Word forms
- Plural
- leads
- Third person singular
- leads
- Past tense
- leaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Old paint often contained _____, which is now known to be toxic.
Etymology
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."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lead
See all rhymes for lead →Frequently asked questions
What does “lead” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “lead”?
“Lead” is pronounced LEHD (/ˈlɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “lead” in a sentence?
Here is “lead” used in a sentence: “Old paint often contained lead, which is now known to be toxic.”
What part of speech is “lead”?
Depending on how it is used, “lead” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lead” come from?
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.".
Is “lead” a common word?
“Lead” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “lead” have?
“Lead” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, heavy, bluish-grey metal, chemical symbol Pb.
Is lead harmful to health?
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.
What is lead used for?
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.
What are the properties of lead?
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.
Why does the word 'lead' have two meanings?
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.
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