lead

/liːd/ verb (past tense and past participle led /led/)

Definition

TAKE SOMEONE [I, T] › to show someone where to go, usually by taking them to a place or by going in front of them: She led them down the hall. We followed a path that led us up the mountain. You lead and we'll follow. I'll lead the way (= go first to show the route).

lead into/to/towards, etc › If a path or road leads somewhere, it goes there: That path leads to the beach.

BE WINNING [I, T] › to be winning a game: They were leading by 11 points at half-time. The Lions lead the Hawks 28-9.

BE THE BEST [T] › to be better than anyone else: I still believe that we lead the world in acting talent.

CONTROL [T] › to be in control of a group, country, or situation: to lead a discussion Is this man really capable of leading the country? Shearer led his team to victory.

lead sb to do sth › to cause someone to do or think something: What led you to think that? I was led to believe that breakfast was included.

lead a busy/normal/quiet, etc life › to live in a particular way: He was able to lead a normal life despite his illness.

lead sb to a conclusion › to cause you to think that something is probably true: So you thought I was leaving, did you? What led you to that conclusion?

(Definition of lead verb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)