[] the position ahead of everyone else in a competition or race; the amount that sb/sth is ahead （竞赛中的）领先地位◆Hyundai is determined to maintain its lead in a competitive industry. 现代公司决心要保持自己在竞争性行业中的领先地位。◆We have the highest market share and we need to look at ways to stay in the lead. 我们的市场占有率最高，我们需要研究保持这种优势的方法。◆They have now lost their market lead. 他们现在已失去市场的领先地位。◆They have a lead of 12% of market share over their closest competitor. 他们的市场占有率比最大的竞争对手领先 12%。⨁to have / increase / lose / maintain / take a lead 处於／提高／失去／保持／获得领先地位
(usually used as an adjective 通常用作形容词) the most important person, product, etc. 最重要的（人、产品等）◆the lead engineer on the project 这个工程的首席工程师◆Two of its lead products failed in clinical trials. 其中两个主要产品在临牀试验中失败了。
[] an example or action for people to copy or follow 实例；范例；榜样◆If one bank raises interest rates, all the others will follow their lead. 如果一家银行提高利率，所有其他银行都会效法。◆They have taken the lead in attracting younger consumers. 他们已带头吸引年轻的消费者。
() [] a piece of information that may help you find new customers （有助於找到新客户的）线索◆We offer quality information to help you generate business leads. 我们提供高品质的资讯以帮助你找到商机。◆I prefer not to source leads from the Web. 我不愿意从网路中寻找线索。⨁to follow up / generate / have / source leads 追踪／找到／有／寻找线索⨁business / customer / sales leads 商业／顾客／销售线索
() [] the group (syndicate) of Lloyd's underwriters that accepts the most responsibility for an insurance policy 保险牵头人（为某保险单承担主要保险责任的劳氏保险财团／辛迪加）