lead-in
Americannoun
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something that leads in or introduces; introduction; opening.
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Radio, Television.
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the connection between an antenna and a transmitter or receiving set.
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the portion of a program or script that precedes or introduces a commercial.
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adjective
noun
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an introduction to a subject
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( as modifier )
a lead-in announcement
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the connection between a radio transmitter, receiver, etc, and the aerial or transmission line
Etymology
Origin of lead-in
First recorded in 1910–15; noun, adj. use of verb phrase lead in
Vocabulary lists containing lead-in
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.
The lead-in music to the interview: “Why Can’t We Be Friends” by War.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Its episodic encores are currently airing on Fox as a lead-in to “The Faithful,” whose showrunner, René Echevarria, is an old hand at both network and cable, and whose work includes “The 4400.”
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2026
When the first ball is finally bowled after a chaotic lead-in, Pakistan will open the tournament against the Netherlands in Colombo.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
“Stormy Daniels will be back on the witness stand today, where she is reportedly expected to face a longer cross-examination” is Fox & Friends First co-host Todd Piro’s lead-in to the story of the day.
From Slate ● May 18, 2024
It was going to be my lead-in to convince them to let me watch one with June.
From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy
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.
