lead by example

verb

To show the way or demonstrate a technique to individuals or a group by going ahead or doing something before the others.

Meanings

verblead by example (third-person singular simple present leads by example, present participle leading by example, simple past and past participle led by example)

present singular third person leads by example · participle present leading by example · participle past led by example · past led by example

  1. To show the way or demonstrate a technique to individuals or a group by going ahead or doing something before the others.

    He said that with the world facing a climate crisis, "it is up to those at the forefront of our industry - like Network Rail - to lead by example".

    2023 August 9, “Network News: Network Rail under fire for spending thousands of pounds on flights”, in RAIL, number 989, page 15
    1 more example

    Ferry said he tries to “lead by example” and advises customers to treat the bones “with the utmost respect,” but JonsBones does not have control over what people do with the bones once they leave the showroom in New York.

    2021 October 10, Caroline Anders, “A TikTok bone salesman’s wall of spines reignites ethical debate over selling human remains”, in The Washington Post, archived from the original on 17 Oct 2021

Translations

Hungarian példát mutat
  • példát mutatTranslations
Māori whakangahau
  • whakangahauTranslations
Polish świecić przykładem
  • świecić przykłademTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

lead by example. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20by%20example

MLA

“lead by example.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20by%20example. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lead by example,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20by%20example.

Source: lead by example on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.