led
verb
simple past tense and past participle of lead.
led
1 American
[led]
/ lɛd /
verb
LED
2
American
[el-ee-dee, led]
/ ˈɛlˌiˈdi, lɛd /
noun
LED
1
British
abbreviation
led
2
British
/ lɛd /
verb
LED
Scientific
/ ĕl′ē-dē′,lĕd /
-
Short for light-emitting diode. An electronic semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. They are considerably more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and rarely burn out. LEDs are used in many applications such as flat-screen video displays, and increasingly as general sources of light.
-
See also semiconductor laser
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The study was led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the UK Dementia Research Institute, who investigated how changes in the brain relate to declining cognitive abilities later in life.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
England's toils in the Ashes 12 months ago led to McDermott replacing Shaun Wane at the helm.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The company claimed an unfinished code left in the system, part of a prank, led to the crash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
That, in turn, led to a flight back to government bonds, ending a bruising selloff that had driven Treasury yields to their highest levels in more than two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
This particular evening, Mother led the spirit questioning.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
"Smart glasses should make their recording obvious -- for instance with bright LED lights, audio signals or voice activation cues, privacy-friendly smartphone notifications, or unique designs," Talus said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
The giant orbital venue has a 580,000-square-foot LED exterior and a screen inside that wraps around the audience.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Throughout the show, vintage video clips and moments from his early career played across a massive LED screen, while an orchestra and a few guitarists accompanied him on stage.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Gallium nitride, for example, is found in much of today's lighting technology, from LED bulbs to laptop displays.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
Out on the dark water, a pale ship was anchored, lights glowing like the day, bright LED spots sweeping the water, catching the shapes of boats rowing toward shore.
From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi
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