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When to Use Lead or Led
There is some persistent confusion about lead and led. Or, we should say, there is confusion about the leads and led. Lead is both a noun and a verb, as most people know. There are several unrelated nouns spelled lead: one most commonly refers to a metal (as in, "The paint was made with lead"), and the other most commonly refers to a position of advantage (as in, "Our team was in the lead"). The verb lead is pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to a position or advantage is also pronounced /LEED/, with a long e; the noun that refers to the metal, however, is pronounced /LED/, with a short e. To this moderately convoluted situation, add the past tense and past participle of the verb lead, which is led and pronounced like the metal noun lead with a short e. The homophonic confusion leads to homographic confusion, and you will therefore occasionally see lead in constructions where led is called for (as in, “She lead the ducklings to safety” instead of “She led the ducklings to safety”). The correct past and past participle of lead is spelled led. If you aren’t sure whether to use led or lead as the verb in your sentence, try reading it aloud to yourself. If the verb is pronounced /LED/, use led.
Examples of led in a Sentence
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
The smart glasses have already reportedly led to a college football spy scandal, and reviews describe the LED light indicating the camera is on as a gentle white light that’s easily overlooked in broad daylight.
—Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
The facility will boast over 2,000 sq. meter (21,500 sq. feet) of set space equipped with LED technology and state-of-the-art computer and processing chain, Georgina Terán, EFD Studios CEO, announced at the Iberseries & Platino Industria industry forum in Madrid.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Position these tissue paper flames around the LED light strip to create the appearance of flames.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for led 
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Cite this Entry
“Led.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/led. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
led
1 of 2past and past participle of lead
LED
2 of 2 nounNoun
light-emitting diode
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