Lead meaning in English

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Definition

to lead: to guide, to direct, to travel in front of others verb
I'll lead you to Bruno's office.

This is an irregular verb:
I lead / I led / I have led
leading: principal, important, first adjective
a lead (UK): an (electrical) cable noun

Examples

  • "Bruno : Unfortunately, the current economic climate has led to budget cuts, and the Corporation cannot afford to take you on a guided tour of the Park."
  • "There are many different ways to do this, but only one will lead you to the gardens of Nirvana, or possibly just the bush of Guns N' Roses."
  • "I would be remiss if I did not mention that this company retreat will include team-building exercises led by an expert from the FunFactory Consulting Squadron."
  • "Lack of sleep leads to irritability, poor behavior and trouble with relationships, especially among children and teens."
  • "I'm sure you know that China's workforce and economic growth make us a leading power for the 21st century and beyond."
  • "Lotsa Medals : Well, Brent, I'm not sure those are everyone's concerns, but after one week of competition, Germany leads the medal count with 9 medals: 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze, closely followed by the US and France with 8 and 7 total medals respectively."
  • "During the 1970s, the Castro district became the symbol of gay liberation, led by the activist Harvey Milk."
  • "There are many different ways to do this, but only one will lead you to the gardens of nirvana."
  • "Unfortunately, the current economic climate has led to budget cuts, and the corporation cannot afford to take you on a guided tour of the park."
  • "Tomorrow morning, in meeting room A, Glen will be leading our first collective yoga class."
  • "The controversy associated with illegal and unethical cost-cutting methods often leads to customer boycotts and consumer class-action suits."
  • "Close relationships with organized crime, such as the Teamsters Union's ties with mafia boss Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano, led the government to change its traditionally benevolent stance."
  • "It isn't just wine lovers who are left with an unpleasant taste in the mouth: environmentalists claim that the falling demand for cork is leading to large-scale deforestation."
  • "You know...just hanging out...playing some golf...leading the free world...that sort of thing."
  • "Bruno named me the interim CEO perhaps because he has more confidence in my ability to lead than, let's say, yours for example."
  • "Look Jean, there are some people who are born to lead, and others who are born to follow."
  • "Brian : No, I know what it's like to be led by someone."
  • "We're one of the world's leading perfume online retailers."
  • "Lead Image Consultant & Business Guru"
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks below with words from the broadcast. Don't forget to conjugate the verbs correctly!

This verb means to direct or command (a group of people or an army).

Example: The President of the United States the American government.

This verb means to move or change positions.

Example: Recently the power in Uruguay from the left to the right.
Fill in the blanks below with words from the broadcast. Don't forget to conjugate the verbs correctly!

This verb means to direct or command (a group of people or an army).

Example: The President of the United States leads 1 the American government.

This verb means to move or change positions.

Example: Recently the power in Uruguay has shifted 2 from the left to the right.
1 leads: The verb "to lead" means to "guide" or "command" (something). In the broadcast, Bjorn tells Moira that it's "the fourth time since 1932 that the Social Democrats haven't held enough seats in the Parliament to lead the government". He means that the Social Democrats don't have enough representation in parliament to have control of the government.
2 has shifted: The verb "to shift" means to move or change positions, but primarily expresses the sense of "lateral or horizontal movement". When used in the context of "shifting" power or control, as it is in this broadcast, the term is very close in meaning with the verb "to transfer". Bjorn tells Moira and Brent that the balance of power in the Swedish Parliament has "shifted from the left to the right" meaning that the government is now under control by a political party from the right.
Exercise 2
'She's the one that spearheaded our latest environmental initiatives'.

Which could best replace spearheaded in Bruno's sentence?
'She's the one that spearheaded our latest environmental initiatives'.

Which could best replace spearheaded in Bruno's sentence?
This is incorrect. The term 'to inspire' shares a similar meaning with 'to give an idea' or 'to motivate'. To say that someone 'spearheaded' a campaign doesn't necessarily indicate that they 'inspired' or 'started' it, only that they 'led' or 'guided' it. Example: 'The visit I made to Provence inspired me to write a novel'. This is not the same meaning as the term 'to spearhead'.
This is incorrect. The term 'to complete' shares a similar meaning with 'to finish'. Example: 'I completed the project a week ahead of schedule'. This is not the same meaning as the term 'to spearhead'.
This is the best choice here. The term 'to spearhead' shares a similar meaning with 'to lead' or 'to initiate'. It is used to describe the 'driving force' behind an event. Example: 'Tony Bear spearheaded the recent reforms to the British education system'.
This is incorrect. The term 'to finance' means 'to fund' or 'to pay for'. Example: 'The new building was financed by a philanthropist named Phileas Frogg'. This is not the same meaning as the term 'to spearhead'.
This is incorrect. The term 'to skewer' means 'to pierce' or 'to impale'. Example: 'We skewered the Philistines and put their heads on pikes'. This is not the same meaning as the term 'to spearhead'.
Exercise 3
In his message, Philip talks about Delavigne Corp's "flagship stand in Paris".

In this context, the term "flagship" shares a similar meaning with:
In his message, Philip talks about Delavigne Corp's "flagship stand in Paris".

In this context, the term "flagship" shares a similar meaning with:
The term "latest" means "most recent" and does not share a similar meaning with "flagship".
"Leading" is the best choice here. A "flagship (shop)" is one which is very successful or used as a positive example. This shares a similar meaning with "leading" in this context. We should note that a "flagship" can also be a boat: usually the main vessel in a fleet or navy. Example: "Shop Top is opening a new flagship store on Oxford Street".
The term "original" means "oldest" or "first", and does not share a similar meaning with "flagship".
The term "only" means "unique" and does not share a similar meaning with "flagship".
Exercise 4
What is another way of saying, "Lead the way"?
What is another way of saying, "Lead the way"?
Kevin is not an alien demanding to see world leaders.
"Straight ahead" is a directional command which indicates the location of something being directly ahead or in a straight line from the speaker. It is not synonymous with "lead the way".
"Lead the way" is an idiom meaning "go on ahead and I will follow you". This is the best choice here.
"Pave the road" is not synonymous with the request "lead the way".
Exercise 5
Kevin has found a manufacturing source which meets "all international labor standards".

This means that:
Kevin has found a manufacturing source which meets "all international labor standards".

This means that:
This is the best choice here. ChinaCorp satisfies, or meets the expectations of international labor standards, meaning they comply with regulations and requirements established by an international organization.
This is not a true statement. Kevin is speaking about labor practices, not leaders.
Kevin is still looking for such a party factory, as are we all.
Although it is true that Kevin has found a factory which will produce things for Delavigne Corp, this is not at all what the statement indicates. Kevin is speaking about labor practices, not production.

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