To cover, fill, or affect with lead

“continuous firing leads the grooves of a rifle.”

To place leads between the lines of.

“leaded matter”

(heading) To guide or conduct.

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.

(heading) To begin, to be ahead.

Providing guidance or direction.

“Avoid leading questions if you really want the truth.”

Ranking first.

“He is a leading supplier of plumbing supplies in the county.”

Occurring in advance; preceding.

“The stock market can be a leading economic indicator.”