Led vs. Lead: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 15, 2023
"Led is the past tense of the verb lead, meaning to guide. Lead is a present tense verb or a noun for a heavy metal."
Key Differences
"Led" is the past and past participle form of "lead," used to describe the action of guidance or direction previously taken. "Lead," however, can be a present-tense verb for guiding or a noun denoting a type of heavy metal.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
"Led" requires contextual time markers, indicating an action completed in the past. "Lead" as a verb denotes an ongoing or future action, while as a noun, it identifies a metallic element with the symbol Pb.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
"Led" often appears with time-related words like yesterday, last year, or previously. In contrast, "lead" in its verb form can appear with words indicating current action, while as a noun, it's often associated with weights or radiation protection.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
"Led" implies that the subject of the sentence was guiding others. "Lead," when used as a verb, suggests current or future guiding, and as a noun, it often relates to topics like plumbing, batteries, or ammunition due to its common uses.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 15, 2023
"Led" is only used as a verb, limiting its usage strictly to actions in grammatical structuring. "Lead," however, has a dual role in language: as a verb, it's dynamic, indicating leadership; as a noun, it's static, referring to a heavy, malleable metal.
Harlon Moss
Nov 15, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical form
Past and past participle of a verb
Present tense verb or noun
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
Contextual usage
Completed actions of guiding
Ongoing guidance or metal discussions
Janet White
Nov 15, 2023
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Led and Lead Definitions
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Lead
To result in a particular outcome
These actions may lead to severe consequences.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Led
A semiconductor diode that converts applied voltage to light and is used in lamps and digital displays.
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Oct 13, 2023
Led
Of a farm, etc.: managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.
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Oct 13, 2023
Led
Diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
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Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To play a principal or guiding role in
Lead a discussion.
Led the antiwar movement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To go or be at the head of
The queen led the procession. My name led the list.
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Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To be foremost in or among
Led the field in nuclear research.
Led her teammates in free throws.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(Sports) To pass a ball or puck ahead of (a moving teammate) so that the player can receive the pass without changing direction or losing speed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To afford a passage, course, or route
A road that leads over the mountains.
A door leading to the pantry.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To tend toward a certain goal or result
A remark that led to further discussion.
Policies that led to disaster.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To begin a presentation or account in a given way
The announcer led with the day's top stories.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(Baseball) To advance or stand a few paces away from one's base toward the next while the pitcher prepares to deliver a pitch. Used of a base runner.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(Sports) To begin an attack in boxing with a specified hand or punch
Led with a right to the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The margin by which one holds a position of advantage or superiority
Held a lead of nine points at the half.
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Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Information pointing toward a possible solution; a clue
Followed a promising lead in the murder case.
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Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An example; a precedent
Followed his sister's lead in running for office.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The introductory portion of a news story, especially the first sentence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The prerogative or turn to make the first play
The lead passes to the player on the left.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(Baseball) An amount of space that a base runner moves or stands away from one base in the direction of the next while the pitcher prepares to deliver a pitch.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(Electronics) A conductor by which one circuit element is electrically connected to another.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Symbol Pb A soft, malleable, ductile, bluish-white, dense metallic element, extracted chiefly from galena and used in containers and pipes for corrosives, solder and type metal, bullets, radiation shielding, paints, glass, storage batteries, and antiknock compounds. Atomic number 82; atomic weight 207.2; melting point 327.5°C; boiling point 1,749°C; specific gravity 11.35; valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Any of various, often graphitic compositions used as the writing substance in pencils.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(uncountable) A heavy, pliable, inelastic metal element, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished; both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity. It is easily fusible, forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82, symbol Pb (from Latin plumbum).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A plummet or mass of lead attached to a line, used in sounding depth at sea or (dated) to estimate velocity in knots.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Vertical space in advance of a row or between rows of text. Also known as leading.
This copy has too much lead; I prefer less space between the lines.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(countable) A thin cylinder of graphite used in pencils. Category:en:Carbon
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(countable) The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction, course
To take the lead
To be under the lead of another
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(countable) Precedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; the state of being ahead in a race; the highest score in a game in an incomplete game.
The white horse had the lead.
To be in the lead
She lost the lead.
Smith managed to extend her lead over the second place to half a second.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(baseball) The situation where a runner steps away from a base while waiting for the pitch to be thrown.
The runner took his lead from first.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The act or right of playing first in a game or round; the card suit, or piece, so played
Your partner has the lead
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(business) The person in charge of a project or a work shift etc.
John is the development lead on this software product.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A rope, leather strap, or similar device with which to lead an animal; a leash
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
In a steam engine, the width of port opening which is uncovered by the valve, for the admission or release of steam, at the instant when the piston is at end of its stroke.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(civil engineering) The distance of haul, as from a cutting to an embankment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(horology) The action of a tooth, such as a tooth of a wheel, in impelling another tooth or a pallet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Hypothesis that has not been pursued
The investigation stalled when all leads turned out to be dead ends.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Information obtained by a detective or police officer that allows him or her to discover further details about a crime or incident.
The police have a couple of leads they will follow to solve the case.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(marketing) Potential opportunity for a sale or transaction, a potential customer.
Joe is a great addition to our sales team, he has numerous leads in the paper industry.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Information obtained by a news reporter about an issue or subject that allows him or her to discover more details.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(newspapers) A teaser; a lead-in; the start of a newspaper column, telling who, what, when, where, why and how. (Sometimes spelled as lede for this usage to avoid ambiguity.)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An important news story that appears on the front page of a newspaper or at the beginning of a news broadcast
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(engineering) The axial distance a screw thread travels in one revolution. It is equal to the pitch times the number of starts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(music) In a barbershop quartet, the person who sings the melody, usually the second tenor
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(music) The announcement by one voice part of a theme to be repeated by the other parts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(music) A mark or a short passage in one voice part, as of a canon, serving as a cue for the entrance of others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(engineering) The excess above a right angle in the angle between two consecutive cranks, as of a compound engine, on the same shaft.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(electrical) The angle between the line joining the brushes of a continuous-current dynamo and the diameter symmetrical between the poles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(electrical) The advance of the current phase in an alternating circuit beyond that of the electromotive force producing it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(transitive) To cover, fill, or affect with lead.
Continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact connection.
A father leads a child
A jockey leads a horse with a halter
A dog leads a blind man
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct in a certain course, or to a certain place or end, by making the way known; to show the way, especially by going with or going in advance of, to lead a pupil; to guide somebody somewhere or to bring somebody somewhere by means of instructions.
The guide was able to lead the tourists through the jungle safely.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(figuratively): To direct; to counsel; to instruct
A good teacher should lead their students to the right answer.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; to command, especially a military or business unit.
To lead a political party
To lead the search team
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct oneself in, through, or along (a certain course); hence, to proceed in the way of; to follow the path or course of; to pass; to spend. Also, to cause (one) to proceed or follow in (a certain course).
The evidence leads me to believe he is guilty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(intransitive) To guide or conduct, as by accompanying, going before, showing, influencing, directing with authority, etc.; to have precedence or preeminence; to be first or chief; — used in most of the senses of the transitive verb.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(transitive) To go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among.
The big sloop led the fleet of yachts;
The Guards led the attack;
Demosthenes leads the orators of all ages
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(intransitive) To be more advanced in technology or business than others.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(transitive) To draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure
To lead someone to a righteous cause
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(intransitive) To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain place.
The path leads to the mill;
Gambling leads to other vices
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(not comparable) Foremost.
The contestants are all tied; no one has the lead position.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Main, principal, primary, first, chief, foremost.
The lead guitarist in band
The lead developer on a software project
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
One of the elements, a heavy, pliable, inelastic metal, having a bright, bluish color, but easily tarnished. It is both malleable and ductile, though with little tenacity, and is used for tubes, sheets, bullets, etc. Its specific gravity is 11.37. It is easily fusible (melting point 327.5° C), forms alloys with other metals, and is an ingredient of solder and type metal. Atomic number 82. Atomic weight, 207.2. Symbol Pb (L. Plumbum). It is chiefly obtained from the mineral galena, lead sulphide.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An article made of lead or an alloy of lead
I would have the tower two stories, and goodly leads upon the top.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The act of leading or conducting; guidance; direction; as, to take the lead; to be under the lead of another.
At the time I speak of, and having a momentary lead, . . . I am sure I did my country important service.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Precedence; advance position; also, the measure of precedence; as, the white horse had the lead; a lead of a boat's length, or of half a second.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The act or right of playing first in a game or round; the card suit, or piece, so played; as, your partner has the lead.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The width of port opening which is uncovered by the valve, for the admission or release of steam, at the instant when the piston is at end of its stroke.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The action of a tooth, as a tooth of a wheel, in impelling another tooth or a pallet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The announcement by one voice part of a theme to be repeated by the other parts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
In an internal-combustion engine, the distance, measured in actual length of piston stroke or the corresponding angular displacement of the crank, of the piston from the end of the compression stroke when ignition takes place; - called in full lead of the ignition. When ignition takes place during the working stroke the corresponding distance from the commencement of the stroke is called negative lead.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The excess above a right angle in the angle between two consecutive cranks, as of a compound engine, on the same shaft.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
In spiral screw threads, worm wheels, or the like, the amount of advance of any point in the spiral for a complete turn.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The angle between the line joining the brushes of a continuous-current dynamo and the diameter symmetrical between the poles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A role for a leading man or leading woman; also, one who plays such a role.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An electrical conductor, typically as an insulated wire or cable, connecting an electrical device to another device or to a power source, such as a conductor conveying electricity from a dynamo.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The distance a runner on base advances from one base toward the next before the pitch; as, the long lead he usually takes tends to distract the pitchers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To cover, fill, or affect with lead; as, continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct with the hand, or by means of some physical contact or connection; as, a father leads a child; a jockey leads a horse with a halter; a dog leads a blind man.
If a blind man lead a blind man, both fall down in the ditch.
They thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill.
In thy right hand lead with theeThe mountain nymph, sweet Liberty.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct in a certain course, or to a certain place or end, by making the way known; to show the way, esp. by going with or going in advance of.
The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask.Content, though blind, had I no better guide.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To conduct or direct with authority; to have direction or charge of; as, to lead an army, an exploring party, or a search; to lead a political party.
Christ took not upon him flesh and blood that he might conquer and rule nations, lead armies, or possess places.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To go or to be in advance of; to precede; hence, to be foremost or chief among; as, the big sloop led the fleet of yachts; the Guards led the attack; Demosthenes leads the orators of all ages.
As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way.
And lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To draw or direct by influence, whether good or bad; to prevail on; to induce; to entice; to allure; as, to lead one to espouse a righteous cause.
He was driven by the necessities of the times, more than led by his own disposition, to any rigor of actions.
Silly women, laden with sins, led away by divers lusts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To guide or conduct one's self in, through, or along (a certain course); hence, to proceed in the way of; to follow the path or course of; to pass; to spend. Also, to cause (one) to proceed or follow in (a certain course).
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
Nor thou with shadowed hint confuseA life that leads melodious days.
You remember . . . the life he used to lead his wife and daughter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To begin a game, round, or trick, with; as, to lead trumps; the double five was led.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
To tend or reach in a certain direction, or to a certain place; as, the path leads to the mill; gambling leads to other vices.
The mountain foot that leads towards Mantua.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull gray;
The children were playing with lead soldiers
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An advantage held by a competitor in a race;
He took the lead at the last turn
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Evidence pointing to a possible solution;
The police are following a promising lead
The trail led straight to the perpetrator
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A position of leadership (especially in the phrase `take the lead');
He takes the lead in any group
We were just waiting for someone to take the lead
They didn't follow our lead
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The introductory section of a story;
It was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base;
He took a long lead off first
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
An indication of potential opportunity;
He got a tip on the stock market
A good lead for a job
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
A jumper that consists of a short piece of wire;
It was a tangle of jumper cables and clip leads
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
The playing of a card to start a trick in bridge;
The lead was in the dummy
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Take somebody somewhere;
We lead him to our chief
Can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Result in;
The water left a mark on the silk dress
Her blood left a stain on the napkin
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Tend to or result in;
This remark lead to further arguments among the guests
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Travel in front of; go in advance of others;
The procession was headed by John
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Cause to undertake a certain action;
Her greed led her to forge the checks
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
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
His knowledge doesn't go very far
My memory extends back to my fourth year of life
The facts extend beyond a consideration of her personal assets
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Be conducive to;
The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Lead, as in the performance of a composition;
Conduct an orchestra; Bairenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Lead, extend, or afford access;
This door goes to the basement
The road runs South
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Lead
Cause something to pass or lead somewhere;
Run the wire behind the cabinet
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
Is "led" only used in a past context?
Yes, it's the past tense and past participle of "lead."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
Does "lead" have different pronunciations?
Yes, the verb is pronounced "leed," and the noun "led."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 15, 2023
Can "lead" be used in sports?
Yes, it can refer to being ahead in points or position.
Janet White
Nov 15, 2023
Can "lead" refer to something in the environment?
Yes, as a noun, it's a type of heavy metal.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
Does "led" imply leadership?
Typically, it refers to having guided or been in charge.
Janet White
Nov 15, 2023
Does "led" work with all subjects?
Yes, anything or anyone can have "led" in the right context.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
Is "led" active or passive voice?
It can be used in both, depending on sentence construction.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
Is "led" used for past events only?
Yes, it indicates past actions of leading.
Sara Rehman
Nov 15, 2023
Can "led" denote a non-literal path?
Yes, such as leading someone to understand.
Sara Rehman
Nov 15, 2023
Can "led" indicate past influence?
Yes, it can show past guidance or influence.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 15, 2023
Is "led" the same as "lead" in the past tense?
Yes, "led" is the past form of "lead."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 15, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
