LED LED /ˈlɛd/

noun

1. Diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used  ( LED , light-emitting diode )
   diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
   
   

 lead lead /ˈliːd/

noun

1. () An advantage held by a competitor in a race  ( lead )
   an advantage held by a competitor in a race
    He took the lead at the last turn
   he took the lead at the last turn
   
2. () A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey  ( atomic number 82 , Pb , lead )
   a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey
    The children were playing with lead soldiers
   the children were playing with lead soldiers
   
   
3. () A position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase 'take the lead')  ( lead )
   a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase 'take the lead')
    He takes the lead in any group
   he takes the lead in any group
    We were just waiting for someone to take the lead
   we were just waiting for someone to take the lead
    They didn't follow our lead
   they didn't follow our lead
   
4. () Evidence pointing to a possible solution  ( track , trail , lead )
   evidence pointing to a possible solution
    The police are following a promising lead
   the police are following a promising lead
    The trail led straight to the perpetrator
   the trail led straight to the perpetrator
   
5. () The introductory section of a story  ( lead-in , lede , lead )
   the introductory section of a story
    It was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
   it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
   
   
6. () The angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)  ( lead )
   the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
   
7. The playing of a card to start a trick in bridge  ( lead )
   the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
    The lead was in the dummy
   the lead was in the dummy
   
8. A jumper that consists of a short piece of wire  ( booster cable [ N. American] , jumper cable [ N. American] , jumper lead [ N. American] , lead , jump lead [British] )
   a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
    It was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
   it was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
   
   
9. Mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil  ( lead , pencil lead )
   mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
   
10. Thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing  ( lead , leading )
    thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
    
11. Restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal  ( lead , tether , leash )
    restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
     He grabbed his dog's leash for their morning walk.
    He grabbed his dog's leash for their morning walk.
    
    
12. The timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine  ( lead , spark advance )
    the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
    
13. A news story of major importance  ( lead , lead story )
    a news story of major importance
    
14. An indication of potential opportunity  ( confidential information , hint , lead , steer , tip , wind )
    an indication of potential opportunity
     He got a tip on the stock market
    he got a tip on the stock market
     A good lead for a job
    a good lead for a job
    
15. (baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base  ( lead )
    (baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
     He took a long lead off first
    he took a long lead off first
    
16. An actor who plays a principal role  ( lead , principal , star )
    an actor who plays a principal role
    
17. (sport) the score by which a team or individual is winning  ( lead )
    (sport) the score by which a team or individual is winning
    

verb

1. () Take somebody somewhere  ( conduct , direct , guide , lead , take )
   take somebody somewhere
    We lead him to our chief
   We lead him to our chief
    Can you take me to the main entrance?
   can you take me to the main entrance?
    He conducted us to the palace
   He conducted us to the palace
   
2. () Produce as a result or residue  ( leave , lead , result )
   produce as a result or residue
    The water left a mark on the silk dress
   The water left a mark on the silk dress
    Her blood left a stain on the napkin
   Her blood left a stain on the napkin
   
3. () Tend to or result in  ( lead )
   tend to or result in
    This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
   This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
   
4. () Cause to undertake a certain action  ( lead )
   cause to undertake a certain action
    Her greed led her to forge the checks
   Her greed led her to forge the checks
   
5. () Travel in front of; go in advance of others  ( head , lead )
   travel in front of; go in advance of others
    The procession was headed by John
   The procession was headed by John
   
6. () Be in charge of  ( lead , head )
   be in charge of
    Who is heading this project?
   Who is heading this project?
   
7. () Stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point  ( pass , go , lead , extend , run )
   stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    Service runs all the way to Cranbury
   Service runs all the way to Cranbury
    His knowledge doesn't go very far
   His knowledge doesn't go very far
    My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
   My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
    The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
   The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
   
8. () Be ahead of others; be the first  ( top , lead )
   be ahead of others; be the first
    She topped her class every year
   she topped her class every year
   
9. () Be conducive to  ( conduce , lead , contribute )
   be conducive to
    The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
   The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
   
10. () (music) Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition  ( direct , lead , conduct )
    (music) Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition
     Conduct an orchestra; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
    conduct an orchestra; Barenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
    
11. () Lead, extend, or afford access  ( go , lead )
    lead, extend, or afford access
     This door goes to the basement
    This door goes to the basement
     The road runs South
    The road runs South
    
12. () Move ahead (of others) in time or space  ( precede , lead )
    move ahead (of others) in time or space
    
13. () Cause something to pass or lead somewhere  ( lead , run )
    cause something to pass or lead somewhere
     Run the wire behind the cabinet
    Run the wire behind the cabinet
    
14. Preside over  ( chair , lead , moderate )
    preside over
     John moderated the discussion
    John moderated the discussion