lead

be in charge of

lead, extend, or afford access

move ahead (of others) in time or space

preside over

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”

cause something to pass or lead somewhere

stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point

be ahead of others; be the first

an actor who plays a principal role

evidence pointing to a possible solution

“the police are following a promising lead”

thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

the introductory section of a story

“it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter”