Meanings
lead1
- uncountableA heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82.
- uncountablemediaVertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading.
This copy has too much lead; I prefer less space between the lines.
- countableA roof covered with lead sheets or terne plates.
I would have the tower two stories, and goodly leads upon the top.
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Building”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC1 more example
These rooms were on a level with the apartments of our friends Bows and Costigan next door at No. 4; and by reaching over the communicating leads, Grady could command the mignonette-box which bloomed in Bows’s window.
1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC - countableslanguncountableBullets; ammunition.
They pumped him full of lead.
1 more example
All my life I want money and power Respect my mind or die from lead shower
2012, “Backseat Freestyle” (hip-hop), performed by Kendrick Lamar - countablein pluraluncountablemedicineX-ray protective clothing lined with lead.
You must remember to wear your leads.
present singular third person leads · participle present leading · participle past leaded · past leaded · alternative ♄
- transitiveTo cover, fill, or affect with lead.
continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.
- historicaltransitivemediaTo place leads between the lines of.
leaded matter
1 more example
to lead a page
lead2
present singular third person leads · participle present leading · participle past led · past led · first person past singular led · archaic present second person singular leadest · past second person singular led · archaic past second person singular ledst · archaic past second person singular ledest · present singular third person leads · archaic present singular third person leadeth · past singular third person led · past plural led · past subjunctive led · participle present leading · participle past led
- To guide or conduct.
- transitiveheadingTo guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection.
a father leads a child
5 more examples
a jockey leads a horse with a halter
a dog leads a blind man
If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 15:14They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 4:29In thy right hand lead with thee / The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty.
a. 1645, John Milton, “L’Allegro”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC - transitiveheadingTo guide or conduct in a certain course, or to a certain place or end, by making the way known; to show the way, especially by going with or going in advance of; to guide somebody somewhere or to bring somebody somewhere by means of instructions.
The guide was able to lead the tourists through the jungle safely.
4 more examples
The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 13:21He leadeth me beside the still waters.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 23:2This thought might lead me through the world’s vain mask. Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
1673, John Milton, “[Sonnet] [Sonnet] XXI”, in Poems, &c. upon Several Occasions, London: […] Tho[mas] Dring […], →OCLCI stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.
1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC - transitiveheadingTo conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; to command, especially a military or business unit.
to lead the search team
2 more examples
to lead a political party
Christ took not upon him flesh and blood that he might conquer and rule nations, lead armies, or possess places.
1664, Robert South, “(please specify the sermon number)A Sermon Preached Before the University at Christ-Church, Oxon”, in Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions. […], new edition, volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: […] Thomas Tegg, […], published 1843, →OCLCSynonyms: spearhead
- transitiveheadingTo draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure.
to lead someone to a righteous cause
3 more examples
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 6:13Silly women, laden with sins, led away by divers lusts.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Timothy 3:6He was driven by the necessities of the times, more than led by his own disposition, to any rigor of actions.
1649, King Charles I of England, Eikon Basilike - transitiveheadingTo influence towards a belief, a conclusion, etc.
The evidence leads me to believe he is guilty.
- intransitiveTo guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preeminence; to be first or chief; — used in most of the senses of the transitive verb.
- To begin, to be ahead.
- transitiveheadingTo go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among.
1600, Edward Fairfax, The Jerusalem Delivered of Tasso As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way.
3 more examples
the big sloop led the fleet of yachts; the Guards led the attack; Demosthenes leads the orators of all ages
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
c. 1819, Leigh Hunt, Abou Ben Adhem“Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC - intransitiveheadingTo proceed in front of others; to go first.
The standard-bearers led and the rest of the marchers followed.
- intransitiveheadingTo be more advanced in technology or business than others.
It leads in the information technology sector.
- transitivecard gamesTo begin a game, round, or trick, with
to lead trumps
1 more example
He led the ace of spades.
- transitiveclimbingTo lead climb.
- intransitiveTo tend or reach in a certain spatial direction, or to a certain place.
the path leads to the mill
1 more example
The mountain-foot that leads towards Mantua.
c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii] - intransitiveTo be a cause of.
gambling leads to other vices
2 more examples
Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.
2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism. That worries the government, which fears that environmental activism could become the foundation for more general political opposition. It is therefore dealing with pollution in two ways—suppression and mitigation.
2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848Synonyms: lead to
- transitiveusuallyTo live or experience (a particular way of life).
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Timothy 2:22 more examples
Nor thou with shadow'd hint confuse / A life that leads melodious days.
1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXIII”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLCFollow me now and you will not regret / Leaving the life you led before we met. / You are the first to have this love of mine, / Forever with me till the end of time.
1969, “N.I.B.”, in John Osbourne (lyrics), Black Sabbath, performed by Black Sabbath - misspellingMisspelling of led.
plural leads · alternative obsolete lede · alternative obsolete leed
- countableThe act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction, course
to take the lead
2 more examples
to be under the lead of another
At the time I speak of, and having a momentary lead, […] I am sure I did my country important service.
1796, Edmund Burke, A Letter from the Right Honourable Edmund Burke to a Noble Lord, on the Attacks Made upon Him and His Pension, […], London: […] J. Owen, […], and F[rancis] and C[harles] Rivington, […], →OCLC - countablePrecedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; the state of being ahead in a race; the highest score in an incomplete game.
to be in the lead
4 more examples
the white horse had the lead.
She lost the lead.
Smith managed to extend her lead over the second place to half a second.
Blackburn then regained the lead with a simplest of set-piece goals
2010 December 28, Kevin Darlin, “West Brom 1 – 3 Blackburn”, in BBC Sport - UKcountableAn insulated metallic wire for electrical devices and equipment.
- countableuncountableball gamesThe situation where a runner steps away from a base while waiting for the pitch to be thrown.
The runner took his lead from first.
- uncountablecard gamesThe act or right of playing first in a game or round; the card suit, or piece, so played
your partner has the lead
- countableuncountableactingThe main role in a play or film; the lead role.
"You make moving pictures. In jungles and places." "That's me. And I've picked you for the lead in my next picture."
1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 43 - countableuncountableactingThe actor who plays the main role; lead actor.
- countableuncountablebusinessThe person in charge of a project or a work shift etc.
John is the development lead on this software product.
- countablebusinessA lode.
- countableuncountablenauticalThe course of a rope from end to end.
- countableuncountableA rope, leather strap, or similar device with which to lead an animal; a leash
- countableuncountableIn a steam engine, the width of port opening which is uncovered by the valve, for the admission or release of steam, at the instant when the piston is at end of its stroke.
Usage note: When used alone it means outside lead, or lead for the admission of steam. Inside lead refers to the release or exhaust.
- countableuncountablecivil engineeringThe distance of haul, as from a cutting to an embankment.
- countableuncountablehobbiesThe action of a tooth, such as a tooth of a wheel, in impelling another tooth or a pallet.
- countableuncountableHypothesis that has not been pursued
The investigation stalled when all leads turned out to be dead ends.
- countableuncountableInformation obtained by a detective or police officer that allows him or her to discover further details about a crime or incident.
The police have a couple of leads they will follow to solve the case.
1 more example
Chief Meads even arranged for articles on the case to be published in dental journals, alongside appearances on national and international television, to generate leads.
2026 September 3, Shreya Lele, “The “Lady of the Dunes” Was Found Murdered in 1974. Nearly 50 Years Later, She Got Her Name Back”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 03 Sep 2026 - countableuncountablebusinessPotential opportunity for a sale or transaction, a potential customer.
Joe is a great addition to our sales team, he has numerous leads in the paper industry.
- countableuncountableInformation obtained by a news reporter about an issue or subject that allows him or her to discover more details.
- countableuncountableball gamesThe player who throws the first two rocks for a team.
- UScountableuncountablejournalismThe introductory paragraph or paragraphs of a newspaper, or a news or other type of article. (Sometimes spelled as lede for this usage to avoid ambiguity.)
Synonyms: lead paragraph
- countableuncountableAn important news story that appears on the front page of a newspaper or at the beginning of a news broadcast
- countableuncountableentertainmentIn a barbershop quartet, the person who sings the melody, usually the second tenor.
- countableuncountableentertainmentThe announcement by one voice part of a theme to be repeated by the other parts.
- countableuncountableentertainmentA mark or a short passage in one voice part, as of a canon, serving as a cue for the entrance of others.
- countableuncountableengineeringThe excess above a right angle in the angle between two consecutive cranks, as of a compound engine, on the same shaft.
- countableuncountablebusinessThe angle between the line joining the brushes of a continuous-current dynamo and the diameter symmetrical between the poles.
- countableuncountablebusinessThe advance of the current phase in an alternating circuit beyond that of the electromotive force producing it.
alternative obsolete lede · alternative obsolete leed
- not comparableForemost.
The contestants are all tied; no one has the lead position.
1 more example
For the first time ever, the senior architect and lead developer for a key enterprise system on NASA's ongoing Mars Exploration Rover mission shares the secrets to one of the most difficult technology tasks […]
2006, Ronald Mak, The Martian Principles for Successful Enterprise Systems - not comparableMain, principal, primary, first, chief, foremost.
the lead guitarist in band
2 more examples
the lead developer on a software project
Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand's ex-prime minister, has missed a verdict in a negligence trial that could have seen her jailed, prompting the Supreme Court to say it will issue an arrest warrant fearing she is a flight risk, according to the lead judge in the case.
2017 August 25, "Arrest threat as Yingluck Shinawatra misses verdict", in aljazeera.com, Al Jazeera
lead3
- misspellingMisspelling of led.
Lead4
- A civil parish in North Yorkshire, England.
- A city in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82.
nounA thin strip of type metal, used to separate lines of type in printing.
nounA thin cylinder of graphite used in pencils.
verbTo conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; to command, especially a military or business unit.
verbTo be a cause of.
nounThe introductory paragraph or paragraphs of a newspaper, or a news or other type of article. (Sometimes spelled as lede for this usage to avoid ambiguity.)
More synonyms by meaning
nounan indication of potential opportunity
nouna news story of major importance
nounthe timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
nounrestraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
nouna jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
nouna soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
nounmixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
lead · noun, verb
- Proto-Indo-European*plewd-“to flow”
- Proto-Celtic*ɸloudom
- Proto-West Germanic*laud“lead”
- Old Englishlēad“lead”
- Middle Englishled
- Englishlead
From Middle English led, leed, from Old English lēad (“lead”), from Proto-West Germanic *laud (“lead”), possibly borrowed from Proto-Celtic *ɸloudom, from Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (“to flow”). Cognate with Scots leid, lede (“lead”), North Frisian lud, luad (“lead”), West Frisian lead (“lead”), Dutch lood (“lead”), Low German Lod (“solder, plummet”), German Lot (“solder, plummet, sounding line”), Swedish lod (“solder, plummet”), Icelandic lóð (“a plumb, weight”), Irish luaidhe (“lead”) Latin plumbum (“lead”), Finnish luoti (“bullet”). Doublet of loth. More at flow. * (graphite in a pencil): Graphite was once believed to be a form of lead; see black lead and plumbago.
More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-West Germanic
Full word history & related roots →lead · verb, noun, adjective
- Proto-Indo-European*leyt-“to leave, die”
- Proto-Germanic*līþaną“to go”
- Proto-Germanic*laidijaną“to cause one to go, lead”
- Proto-West Germanic*laidijan
- Old Englishlǣdan“to lead”
- Middle Englishleden
- Englishlead
From Middle English leden, from Old English lǣdan (“to lead”), from Proto-West Germanic *laidijan, from Proto-Germanic *laidijaną (“to cause one to go, lead”), causative of Proto-Germanic *līþaną (“to go”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyt- (“to leave, die”). Cognate with West Frisian liede (“to lead”), Dutch leiden (“to lead”), German leiten (“to lead”), Danish and Norwegian Bokmål lede (“to lead”), Norwegian Nynorsk leia (“to lead”), Swedish leda (“to lead”), Faroese and Icelandic leiða (“to lead”). Related to Old English līþan (“to go, travel”).
More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-West Germanic
Full word history & related roots →lead · verb
Perhaps from a confusion or conflation with read, which has a single spelling for both past and present tenses, but has differing pronunciations in the same way as lead, i.e. the present's vowel is /i/, and the past's is /ɛ/. See also red and redd, the obsolete spellings of read.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Afrikaans lood
- loodchemical element
Ancient Greek μόλυβδος, ἄγω
- μόλυβδος (mólubdos)chemical element
- ἄγω (ágō)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- ἄγω (ágō)guide or conduct in a certain course
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)guide or conduct in a certain course
- ἐπάγω (epágō)guide or conduct in a certain course
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)conduct or direct with authority
- ἡγεμονεύω (hēgemoneúō)conduct or direct with authority
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)go or be in advance of; precede
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)intransitive: be ahead of others
- ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai)intransitive: to guide or conduct
Arabic رَصَاص, قَادَ
- رَصَاص (raṣāṣ)chemical element
- قَادَ (qāda)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- أَرْشَدَ (ʔaršada)guide or conduct in a certain course
- هَدَى (hadā)guide or conduct in a certain course
- قَادَ (qāda)conduct or direct with authority
Basque berun
- berunchemical element
Bengali সীসা
- সীসা (śiśa)chemical element
Bulgarian оло́во, лот
- оло́во (olóvo)chemical element
- лот (lot)plummet to measure depth of water
- олово (olovo)bullets
- куршум (kuršum)bullets
- свинец (svinec)bullets
- во́дя (vódja)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- водя (vodja)guide or conduct in a certain course
- ръководя (răkovodja)conduct or direct with authority
- водя (vodja)draw or direct by influence
- водя (vodja)go or be in advance of; precede
- водя (vodja)intransitive: be more advanced
- атакувам (atakuvam)begin a game of cards or dominoes
- водя (vodja)intransitive: be ahead of others
- водя (vodja)intransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- водя (vodja)intransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- водя до (vodja do)to produce
- водя се (vodja se)guide or conduct oneself
- водачество (vodačestvo)act of leading or conducting
- водачество (vodačestvo)precedence; advance position
- проводник (provodnik)insulated wire
- атака (ataka)in cards and dominoes
- ръководител (răkovoditel)business: the person in charge of a project
- ръководителка (răkovoditelka)business: the person in charge of a project
- лийд m. главен (lijd)business: the person in charge of a project
- отговорник (otgovornik)business: the person in charge of a project
- отговорничка (otgovornička)business: the person in charge of a project
- следа (sleda)information obtained by a detective or police officer
Catalan plom, escandall
- plomchemical element
- escandallplummet to measure depth of water
- sondaplummet to measure depth of water
- emplomarto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- menarguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- dirigirguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- dirigirguide or conduct in a certain course
- conduirguide or conduct in a certain course
- portarguide or conduct in a certain course
- guiarguide or conduct in a certain course
- dirigirconduct or direct with authority
- liderarconduct or direct with authority
- comandarconduct or direct with authority
- encapçalargo or be in advance of; precede
- anar al capdavantgo or be in advance of; precede
- anar al capdavantintransitive: to go first
- guiatgeact of leading or conducting
- avantatgeprecedence; advance position
- pistainformation obtained by a detective or police officer
Chinese Cantonese 鉛 /铅
- 鉛 /铅 (jyun⁴)chemical element
Chinese Mandarin 鉛 /铅, 引導 /引导
- 鉛 /铅 (qiān)chemical element
- 引導 /引导 (yǐndǎo)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- 潜在客户potential customer
- 導語 /导语 (dǎoyǔ)information obtained by a news reporter
- 新聞導語 /新闻导语 (xīnwén dǎoyǔ)information obtained by a news reporter
Czech olovo, odsadit
- olovochemical element
- odsaditprinting: place leads between the lines of
- voditguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- véstguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Danish bly
- blychemical element
Dutch lood, dieplood
- loodchemical element
- dieploodplummet to measure depth of water
- peilloodplummet to measure depth of water
- interlinieseparator line in print
- verlodento cover, fill, or affect with lead
- interliniërenprinting: place leads between the lines of
- leidenguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- leidenguide or conduct in a certain course
- leidenconduct or direct with authority
- leidendraw or direct by influence
- leidengo or be in advance of; precede
- voorlopenintransitive: be more advanced
- uitkomenbegin a game of cards or dominoes
- aanvoerenintransitive: be ahead of others
- vooroplopenintransitive: be ahead of others
- aanvoerenintransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- vooroplopenintransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- leiden naarintransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- leidingact of leading or conducting
- begeleidingact of leading or conducting
- leidingprecedence; advance position
- voorsprongprecedence; advance position
- uitkomstin cards and dominoes
- vaargeulchannel of open water in an ice field
- loodmining: lode
- lengtenautical: course of a rope from end to end
- aanwijzinginformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- leidraadinformation obtained by a news reporter
Esperanto plumbo, sondilo
- plumbochemical element
- sondiloplummet to measure depth of water
- kondukiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- kondukiguide or conduct in a certain course
- estriconduct or direct with authority
- logidraw or direct by influence
- antaŭirigo or be in advance of; precede
- antaŭigo or be in advance of; precede
- komenciĝiintransitive: to go first
- komencibegin a game of cards or dominoes
- antaŭiintransitive: be ahead of others
- sekviguide or conduct oneself
- kondukiintransitive: to guide or conduct
Estonian plii, seatina
- pliichemical element
- seatinachemical element
Finnish lyijy, luoti
- lyijychemical element
- luotiplummet to measure depth of water
- riviväliseparator line in print
- rivivälitypography: vertical space
- lyijykattoroof covered with lead sheets or terne plates
- lyijybullets
- lyijylevysheets or plates covering a roof
- täyttää lyijylläto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- peittää lyijylläto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- täyttyä lyijyynto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- peittyä lyijyynto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- välistää rivitprinting: place leads between the lines of
- lisätä rivivälitprinting: place leads between the lines of
- johdattaaguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- opastaaguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- ohjataguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- johdattaaguide or conduct in a certain course
- opastaaguide or conduct in a certain course
- johtaaguide or conduct in a certain course
- johtaaconduct or direct with authority
- vetääconduct or direct with authority
- johdattaadraw or direct by influence
- ajaadraw or direct by influence
- johtaago or be in advance of; precede
- mennä edeltäintransitive: to go first
- johtoact of leading or conducting
- johtaminenact of leading or conducting
- johtoprecedence; advance position
- johtoasemaprecedence; advance position
- kärkipaikkaprecedence; advance position
- kärkiprecedence; advance position
- eristetty johtoinsulated wire
- ajoin cards and dominoes
- lähtöin cards and dominoes
- väylächannel of open water in an ice field
- suonimining: lode
- pituusnautical: course of a rope from end to end
French plomb, sonde
- plombchemical element
- sondeplummet to measure depth of water
- interligneseparator line in print
- interlignetypography: vertical space
- plombbullets
- guiderguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- menerguide or conduct in a certain course
- conduireguide or conduct in a certain course
- guiderguide or conduct in a certain course
- dirigerconduct or direct with authority
- commanderconduct or direct with authority
- menergo or be in advance of; precede
- menerintransitive: be more advanced
- menerintransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- menerintransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- menerguide or conduct oneself
- amenerguide or conduct oneself
- pisteinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- tuyauinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- prospectpotential customer
- tuyauinformation obtained by a news reporter
German Blei, Senkblei
- Bleichemical element
- Senkbleiplummet to measure depth of water
- Lotplummet to measure depth of water
- Durchschusstypography: vertical space
- Bleibullets
- verbleiento cover, fill, or affect with lead
- führenguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- leitenguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- leitenconduct or direct with authority
- anführenintransitive: to go first
- führenintransitive: be ahead of others
- Führungact of leading or conducting
- Führungprecedence; advance position
- Leitungprecedence; advance position
- Adermining: lode
- Spurinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- Spurinformation obtained by a news reporter
Greek μόλυβδος, βυθομετρητής
- μόλυβδος (mólyvdos)chemical element
- βυθομετρητής (vythometritís)plummet to measure depth of water
- διάστιχο (diásticho)typography: vertical space
- μολυβδοσκεπή (molyvdoskepí)roof covered with lead sheets or terne plates
- μολύβι (molývi)bullets
- μολυβδοταινία (molyvdotainía)sheets or plates covering a roof
- επιμολυβδώνω (epimolyvdóno)to cover, fill, or affect with lead
- οδηγώ (odigó)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- οδηγώ (odigó)guide or conduct in a certain course
- οδηγώ (odigó)conduct or direct with authority
- προηγούμαι (proïgoúmai)intransitive: be ahead of others
- προβάδισμα (provádisma)precedence; advance position
Hawaiian kēpau, kēpau pōkā
- kēpauchemical element
- kēpau pōkāchemical element
Hebrew עוֹפֶרֶת, הוביל
- עוֹפֶרֶת ('oféret)chemical element
- הוביל (hovíl)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- הוביל (hovíl)guide or conduct in a certain course
- הוביל (hovíl)conduct or direct with authority
- הנהיג (hinhíg)conduct or direct with authority
- הוביל (hovíl)draw or direct by influence
- הנהיג (hinhíg)draw or direct by influence
- הוביל (hovíl)go or be in advance of; precede
- הנהיג (hinhíg)go or be in advance of; precede
- התחיל (hitkhíl)intransitive: to go first
- הוביל (hovíl)intransitive: be more advanced
- הוביל (hovíl)begin a game of cards or dominoes
- הוביל (hovíl)intransitive: be ahead of others
Hindi सीसा
- सीसा (sīsā)chemical element
Hungarian ólom, mérőón
- ólomchemical element
- mérőónplummet to measure depth of water
- sorköztypography: vertical space
- golyóbullets
- sörétbullets
- ólomlemezsheets or plates covering a roof
- vezetguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- elöl megygo or be in advance of; precede
- vezetintransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- nyominformation obtained by a detective or police officer
Icelandic blý
- blýchemical element
Indonesian timbal
- timbalchemical element
Irish luaidhe, luaidhe
- luaidhechemical element
- luaidheplummet to measure depth of water
- treoraighguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Italian piombo, scandaglio
- piombochemical element
- scandaglioplummet to measure depth of water
- interlineaseparator line in print
- piombobullets
- pallottolabullets
- lamierasheets or plates covering a roof
- guidareguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- condurreguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- condurreguide or conduct in a certain course
- condurreconduct or direct with authority
- convinceredraw or direct by influence
- influenzaredraw or direct by influence
- andare avantiintransitive: to go first
- essere di manobegin a game of cards or dominoes
- andare avantiintransitive: be ahead of others
- essere in testaintransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- condurreintransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- comportarsiguide or conduct oneself
- guidaact of leading or conducting
Japanese 鉛, 導く
- 鉛 (namari)chemical element
- 導く (michibiku)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- 案内する (annai suru)guide or conduct in a certain course
- 率いる (hikiiru)guide or conduct in a certain course
- 導く (michibiku)guide or conduct in a certain course
- 率いる (hikiiru)conduct or direct with authority
- 引く (hiku)draw or direct by influence
- リードする (rīdo-suru)intransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- 達する (tassuru)intransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- 到達する (tōtatsu-suru)intransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
- 導く (michibiku)guide or conduct oneself
- 案内する (annai-suru)intransitive: to guide or conduct
- 率いる (hikiiru)intransitive: to guide or conduct
- 手掛かり (tegakari)information obtained by a detective or police officer
- 手掛かり (tegakari)information obtained by a news reporter
Korean 납, 연
- 납 (nap)chemical element
- 연 (yeon)chemical element
- 이끌다 (ikkeulda)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- 안내하다 (annaehada)intransitive: to guide or conduct
Latin plumbum, dūcō
- plumbumchemical element
- dūcōguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- dūcōguide or conduct in a certain course
- dūcōconduct or direct with authority
- ducointransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
Latvian svins, vest
- svinschemical element
- vestguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Lithuanian švinas, vesti
- švinaschemical element
- vestiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Malay plumbum, timah hitam
- plumbumchemical element
- timah hitamchemical element
- timbelchemical element
Māori matā, arataki
- matāchemical element
- aratakiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- takiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- arahiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- takitakiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- whakatakiguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- whanointransitive: tend or reach in a certain direction
Norwegian bly, føre
- blychemical element
- føreguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Norwegian Bokmål ledning
- ledninginsulated wire
Persian سرب
- سرب (sorb)chemical element
Polish ołów, ołów
- ołówchemical element
- ołówbullets
- ołowiowaćto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- wodzićguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- wieśćguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- prowadzićguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- poprowadzićguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- zaprowadzićguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- doprowadzaćguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- przeprowadzaćguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- kierowaćguide or conduct in a certain course
- prowadzićguide or conduct in a certain course
- poprowadzićguide or conduct in a certain course
- zaprowadzićguide or conduct in a certain course
- doprowadzaćguide or conduct in a certain course
- prowadzenieact of leading or conducting
- prowadzenieprecedence; advance position
- wyjściein cards and dominoes
- tropinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- cynkinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- tropinformation obtained by a news reporter
- cynkinformation obtained by a news reporter
Portuguese chumbo, prumo
- chumbochemical element
- prumoplummet to measure depth of water
- chumbobullets
- chumbarto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- guiarguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- conduzirguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- levarguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- guiarguide or conduct in a certain course
- liderarconduct or direct with authority
- liderardraw or direct by influence
- precedergo or be in advance of; precede
- liderargo or be in advance of; precede
- liderarintransitive: to go first
- liderarintransitive: be more advanced
- sairbegin a game of cards or dominoes
- começarbegin a game of cards or dominoes
- conduçãoact of leading or conducting
- liderançaprecedence; advance position
- pistainformation obtained by a detective or police officer
Romanian plumb, duce
- plumbchemical element
- duceguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- conduceconduct or direct with authority
Russian свине́ц, плю́мбум
- свине́ц (svinéc)chemical element
- плю́мбум (pljúmbum)chemical element
- грузи́ло (gruzílo)plummet to measure depth of water
- свинцо́вый отве́с (svincóvyj otvés)plummet to measure depth of water
- шпон (špon)separator line in print
- шпо́на (špóna)separator line in print
- шпо́ны (špóny)separator line in print
- интерлинья́ж (interlinʹjáž)typography: vertical space
- межстро́чное расстоя́ние (mežstróčnoje rasstojánije)typography: vertical space
- свинец (svinec)bullets
- свинцева́ть (svincevátʹ)to cover, fill, or affect with lead
- води́ть (vodítʹ)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- вести́ (vestí)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- приводи́ть (privodítʹ)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- привести́ (privestí)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- води́ть (vodítʹ)guide or conduct in a certain course
- вести́ (vestí)guide or conduct in a certain course
- руководи́ть (rukovodítʹ)conduct or direct with authority
- склоня́ть (sklonjátʹ)draw or direct by influence
- приводи́ть (privodítʹ)draw or direct by influence
- привести́ (privestí)draw or direct by influence
- возглавля́ть (vozglavljátʹ)go or be in advance of; precede
- начина́ть (načinátʹ)intransitive: to go first
- ли́дерство (líderstvo)precedence; advance position
- ход (xod)in cards and dominoes
- жи́ла (žíla)mining: lode
- наво́дка (navódka)information obtained by a detective or police officer
Scottish Gaelic luaidhe
- luaidhechemical element
Slovak olovo, vodiť
- olovochemical element
- vodiťguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- viest’guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Spanish plomo, sonda
- plomochemical element
- sondaplummet to measure depth of water
- escandalloplummet to measure depth of water
- regletaseparator line in print
- interlíneaseparator line in print
- balasbullets
- emplomarto cover, fill, or affect with lead
- llevarguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- llevarguide or conduct in a certain course
- liderarconduct or direct with authority
- liderearconduct or direct with authority
- liderizarconduct or direct with authority
- liderargo or be in advance of; precede
- ir a la cabezaintransitive: to go first
- ir en cabezaintransitive: to go first
- liderarintransitive: be more advanced
- partirbegin a game of cards or dominoes
- liderarintransitive: be ahead of others
- ir a la cabezaintransitive: be ahead of others
- pasosact of leading or conducting
- ventajaprecedence; advance position
- indicioinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- pistainformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- indicioinformation obtained by a news reporter
- pistainformation obtained by a news reporter
- dirigenteTranslations
- dirigienteTranslations
- lideranteTranslations
- lidereanteTranslations
- liderizanteTranslations
Swahili risasi, ongoza
- risasichemical element
- ongozaguide or conduct in a certain course
Swedish bly, lod
- blychemical element
- lodplummet to measure depth of water
- blybullets
- ledaguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- föraguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- ledaguide or conduct in a certain course
- ledaconduct or direct with authority
- ledadraw or direct by influence
- ledago or be in advance of; precede
- ledaintransitive: be more advanced
- ledaintransitive: be ahead of others
- ledaintransitive: have the highest interim score in a game
- ledaintransitive: to guide or conduct
- ledningact of leading or conducting
- ledningprecedence; advance position
- förhandin cards and dominoes
- ledtrådinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
Tagalog tingga, barha
- tinggachemical element
- barhachemical element
- plomochemical element
- regletaseparator line in print
- balabullets
- umakayguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- akayinguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- maghatidguide or conduct in a certain course
- ihatidguide or conduct in a certain course
- sumamaguide or conduct in a certain course
- samahanguide or conduct in a certain course
- mamunoconduct or direct with authority
- pamunuanconduct or direct with authority
- mangunago or be in advance of; precede
- pangunahango or be in advance of; precede
- umunago or be in advance of; precede
- maunago or be in advance of; precede
- pag-akayact of leading or conducting
- pamumunoact of leading or conducting
- pamamahalaact of leading or conducting
- nangungunaprecedence; advance position
- lamangprecedence; advance position
- hudyatinformation obtained by a detective or police officer
- himatoninformation obtained by a detective or police officer
Tamil ஈயம்
- ஈயம் (īyam)chemical element
Thai ตะกั่ว
- ตะกั่ว (dtà-gùua)chemical element
Turkish kurşun
- kurşunchemical element
Ukrainian свине́ць, води́ти
- свине́ць (svynécʹ)chemical element
- води́ти (vodýty)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- поводи́ти (povodýty)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- вести́ (vestý)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- повести́ (povestý)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- прово́дити (provódyty)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- провести́ (provestý)guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Urdu سیسہ
- سیسہ (sīsā)chemical element
Vietnamese chì, dẫn
- chìchemical element
- dẫnguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- dắtguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
Welsh plwm, arwain
- plwmchemical element
- arwainguide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection
- arwainconduct or direct with authority
Yiddish בלײַ
- בלײַ (blay)chemical element
Zulu umthofu
- umthofuchemical element
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with lead
Sounds the same
Anagrams
Cite this entry
lead. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead
“lead.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lead,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead.
Source: lead on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.