Laxi Dictionary

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Definition lead in British English

lead verb

verb
/liːd/
1

to walk, drive, fly, sail etc in front of a group of people, vehicles, planes, ships etc

Example

Leading the mourners were his widow and 14-year-old daughter.

Example

She led us down the hill.

Example

He led his men into battle.

Synonyms and related words
come drive walk
1.1

to show someone the way to a place by going there with them

Example

After showing us the dining room, the estate agent led us into the kitchen.

Example

Sheila turned and led the way downstairs.

Synonyms and related words
come drive walk
1.2

to take or pull a person or animal somewhere by holding onto them or onto something fastened to them

Example

She took the boy by the hand and led him from the room.

Example

Dismounting, I led the horse by the reins back to the stable.

Synonyms and related words
come drive walk
1.3

if something such as a road, river, or door leads in a particular direction or to a particular place, or if it leads you there, it goes in that direction or to that place

Example

The road leads west for three miles then turns south.

Example

We followed a dirt track leading through the woods.

Example

The pipe leads from the water heater to the bathroom upstairs.

Example

a narrow alleyway leading off the High Street

Example

This door leads you to a large entrance hall.

Synonyms and related words
ascend bend bifurcate
2

to be winning at a particular time during a race or competition

Example

The polls show Labour leading with only 10 days left until the election.

Example

France was leading England at half time by 3 goals to 2.

Example

Johnson led the field throughout the final day of the rally.

Synonyms and related words
ahead a poor second baton
2.1

to be the most successful, popular, or advanced of all the people, groups, organizations etc involved in a particular activity

Example

They lead the world in oil production.

Example

Spain still leads the field as the top British holiday destination.

Synonyms and related words
punch above your weight thrive prosper
3

to be in control of an organization, group of people, or activity

Example

She led the software development team during the project.

Synonyms and related words
bureaucratise bureaucratize micromanage
3.1

to be in control of the way in which a discussion or conversation develops

Example

I asked Ned to lead the discussion.

Example

She kept trying to lead the conversation away from personal matters.

Synonyms and related words
bureaucratise bureaucratize micromanage
4

to cause someone to do something

Example

He said differences over foreign policy had led him to resign.

Example

I had been led to believe that the job was mine if I wanted it.

Synonyms and related words
encourage persuade convince
5

to live your life in a particular way

Example

He had always led a quiet life until he met Emma.

6

to begin a part of a card game by playing a particular card

Example

She led with the eight of spades.

Synonyms and related words
bid call cut
7

to give somebody information that is incorrect or misleading in order to persuade them

Example

We should not be led down a garden path into believing that there is some enormous groundswell of support.

Example

I am sorry I rather led you up the garden path yesterday. My recollection was wrong.

Definition lead in British English

Related Words

Words related to lead:

extend your lead (phrase) lead (verb) lead (noun) lead (noun) lead balloon (noun) lead guitar (noun) lead into (phrasal verb) lead nowhere (phrase) lead off (phrasal verb) lead on (phrasal verb) lead on to (phrasal verb) lead replacement petrol (noun) lead singer (noun) lead someone a (merry) dance (phrase) lead someone a merry dance (phrase) lead the pack (phrase) lead the way (phrase) lead time (noun) lead to (phrasal verb) lead up to (phrasal verb) lead with (phrasal verb) lead-free (adjective) lead-in (noun) lead-up (noun) pump bullets into someone (phrase) pump/fill someone full of lead (phrase) someone’s lead (phrase) take the lead (phrase)