in the lead

phrase

1
: in a position that is ahead of others
They walked single file, with the oldest boy in the lead.
2
: winning in a race or competition
Our team was in the lead.

Examples of in the lead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Between the import increase, the trade war with Canada and the actual war with Iran, White House policies are squeezing ranchers in the lead-up to what is sure to be a challenging fall season. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles will also host the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will make its Olympic debut, and there will be key activations by the league promoting flag football in the lead-up to the summer games. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Maurice Benard also sent a video message in the lead-up to her arrival. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Details of the operation, which emerged during the trial, including cellphone data and CCTV videos, revealed more than a year of coördination in the lead-up to the attack. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the lead

Rhymes for in the lead

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Browse Nearby Words

in the large
in the lead
in the light of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20lead. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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