lead-up
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of lead-up
1950–55; noun use of verb phrase lead up ( to )
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.
In the lead-up to a potentially record-breaking initial public offering, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is calling for a slowdown in artificial-intelligence development due to the risks associated with the technology.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 12, 2026
The inquiry heard oral evidence from 164 witnesses over 14 weeks until 5 June, as the lead-up to the attacks and the aftermath were examined.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
In the lead-up to an expected meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump this month, it has also sought to shore up ties with US-friendly regional nations.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
At that same Hollywood Bowl concert, my friend turned to me in the lead-up to “All My Friends” and claimed it was the “best song ever made.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Normal was Ethan texting her every day in the lead-up to the Winter Ball.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
