lead-in
Americannoun
-
something that leads in or introduces; introduction; opening.
-
Radio, Television.
-
the connection between an antenna and a transmitter or receiving set.
-
the portion of a program or script that precedes or introduces a commercial.
-
adjective
noun
-
-
an introduction to a subject
-
( as modifier )
a lead-in announcement
-
-
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.
While the ratings for “60 Minutes” get a boost from a lead-in from high-rated NFL late-afternoon games, it remains one of the few network shows that viewers make an appointment to watch.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
Though munitions are being deployed at a rapid pace, due to long lead-in times for procurement and production, there is a lag until any increased demand can be met.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 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
Later I switched to “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad for a simple reason: Whenever she’s around my heart beats in rhythm with the 1974 tune’s powerful drum lead-in.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
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.
