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Glite Dictionary
lede

lede

4 9.3
The opening part of a news story that makes the reader want to keep reading
  • noun
  • /liːd/
  • Jargon
translation icon : lede
  • The whole article is behind a subscriber firewall, but here's the lede:
  • lede paragraph

And the trick in journalism is to lead, LEAD with the lead LEDE.

Examples

  • The lede is Ashley Judd's account of the Peninsula suite.

    She Said (2022)

  • I rarely comment on a lede for shock value.

    Blog text (16)

  • I will still read the article because your lede was enough to pull me in.

    Blog text (34)

  • You buried the lede here.

    Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023)

  • Let me see the lede.

    She Said (2022)

  • There's our front page lede tomorrow.

    The Post (2017)

  • That's not the kind of lede you see every day.

    Blog text (16)

  • Seriously, who selects the lede for these articles?

    Blog text (19)

  • And what's the lede for the Hawaiian Hispanic News: "Looking for a Hispanic business or professional?"

    Blog text (17)

  • The reporter crafted a compelling lede that drew readers into the story.

Synonyms

introduction
vslede
81 2.1

The first part of a book, speech, or essay that explains the topic

is a short news focused opener meant to entice readers not a general opening
lead
vslede
  • Jargon
53 4.6

The main story in a news report or newspaper

aims specifically to entice readers rather than just signal importance
teaser
vslede
  • Literature
18 4.1

A short clip that makes people curious about a show

focuses on enticing reader interest inside a news article rather than advertising
lead-in
vslede
  • Literature
9 4.9

A short introduction before the main part of a talk or story

serves to attract reader interest rather than simply introduce the content

How Attention-Grabbing

hook
149 3.4
lede
  • Jargon
4 9.3
opening line
8 2.8
introduction
81 2.1

Surface Forms

lede singular
ledes plural

Etymology

Lede is a journalism spelling of lead, meaning the 'start' or 'intro' of a news story. Editors and printers changed the spelling to lede so it would not be confused with the metal lead pronounced 'led' used in old printing, and that is why lede today means the opening of an article.