lead-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈlēd-ˌəp How to pronounce lead-up (audio)
: something that leads up to or prepares the way for something else

lead up

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- How to pronounce lead up (audio)
led up; leading up; leads up

intransitive verb

1
: to prepare the way
2
: to make a gradual or indirect approach to a topic

Examples of lead-up 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.
Noun
But judging by the lead-up to the event, that’s not what’s going to happen. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 All this disruption is coming in the lead-up to the Burning Man festival, which brings at its peak about 70,000 people to this region from all over the world. — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
In the weeks leading up to the first Super Bowl at SoFi, there were misguided rumblings that the game might be moved to Dallas, because the NFL had secured that city as a backup. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 If Michigan had lost, the noise around the program would have been deafening leading up to the Oklahoma game. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lead-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead-up was in 1861

Rhymes for lead-up

See All Rhymes for lead-up

Browse Nearby Words

lead tree
lead-up
lead up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead-up. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lead up

verb
(ˈ)lēd-ˈəp How to pronounce lead up (audio)
: to make a gradual approach to a topic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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