lead
- noun
- /lɛd/
- When we sharpen the pencil, the lead emerges, ready for writing.
- a lead pencil
I mean, I need an empty toilet paper roll, some wire, my father's old razor blade, a pencil lead that was pretty much free.
- I mean, I need an empty toilet paper roll, some wire, my father's old razor blade, a pencil lead that was pretty much free.
- I mean, I needed an empty toilet paper roll, some wire, my father's old razor blade, a pencil lead that was pretty much free.
- OK, so this is my lead here, very high quality lead.
Examples
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I mean, you know, for me, it's best to keep extra lead.
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So I do recommend you use a harder lead, a lighter lead when you're first sketching.
-
OK, so this is my lead here, very high quality lead.
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If you write on paper, use the one with black lead.
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While you got a little lead left in your pencil?
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You do need to get a lead sharpener for this.
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It was a waste of lead.
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Finally, take some black and paint in the pencil lead carefully without going over the lines and that's it.
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Allow students to use felt-tip pens or soft lead pencils that require less pressure or to use a computer to complete assignments.
Academic text (2004) -
Ellie traded in her magic tricks for soft-lead pencils, charcoals, and watercolors.
Fiction book (1995)
Synonyms
A soft black material used in pencils and to make things move smoothly
A thin dark core inside a pencil that makes marks on paper
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
A condition that happens when too much lead gets into the body and makes you sick
- Specialized
The time between starting and finishing a process often used in business
- Specialized
A rechargeable device with lead plates and weak sulphuric acid used in cars and for backup power
- Archaic
A rope with a heavy lead weight that sailors lower to measure water depth from a boat
- Specialized
Glass made with small amounts of the metal lead that is very clear and sparkly
- Archaic
A soft black material in pencil cores that is also used as a nuclear reactor moderator called graphite
- UK
A short wire with metal clips at both ends used to make temporary electric connections
- Specialized
A metal made from lead and a little of another metal used to make parts stronger and resist corrosion
- Specialized
A poisonous white chemical used to dye cloth and make coatings for metal and wood
- Informal
A very heavy, very filling sandwich people joke about to mean a hard situation
A rechargeable battery with lead plates and acid used in cars and backup power
- Archaic
A clear oily poisonous liquid once added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking
A low bushy tropical tree with feathery leaves and long pods used for animal food and to help the soil
- Specialized
A green rock that contains lead and gives small amounts of lead when processed
- Specialized
Heavy metal that people make harder by adding antimony or other metals for industrial use
- UK
Short wire with clips at each end that makes a temporary electrical connection between two points
- Archaic
A clear oily poison once added to petrol or gasoline to stop engine knocking
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lead The 'lead' in a pencil is called that by mistake because people long ago thought it looked like the metal lead, but it is actually graphite, which is why you should not worry about lead poisoning from pencils.