n.
Pronunciation: ' l ē d
Function: verb
Inflected Form: led \ ' led \ ; lead · ing
Etymology: Middle English leden, from Old English l ǣ dan; akin to Old High German leiten to lead, Old English l ī than to go
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to guide on a way especially by going in advance b : to direct on a course or in a direction c : to serve as a channel for <a pipe lead s water to the house>
2 : to go through : LIVE < lead a quiet life>
3 a (1) : to direct the operations, activity, or performance of < lead an orchestra> (2) : to have charge of < lead a campaign> (3) : to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questions b (1) : to go at the head of < lead a parade> (2) : to be first in or among < lead the league> (3) : to have a margin over < led his opponent>
4 : to bring to some conclusion or condition < led to believe otherwise>
5 : to begin play with < lead trumps>
6 a : to aim in front of (a moving object) < lead a duck> b : to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving teammate)
intransitive verb
1 a : to guide someone or something along a way b : to lie, run, or open in a specified place or direction <path lead s uphill> c : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
2 a : to be first b (1) : BEGIN , OPEN (2) : to play the first card of a trick, round, or game
3 : to tend toward or have a result <study lead ing to a degree>
4 : to direct the first of a series of blows at an opponent in boxing
synonyms see GUIDE
– lead one down the garden path also lead one up the garden path : HOODWINK , DECEIVE