lead line

[led]

noun

Nautical.

1. a line by which a lead is lowered into the water to take soundings: in deep-sea practice, divided into levels one fathom apart, variously treated as marks and deeps.

lead line

/ lɛd /

noun

1. nautical a length of line for swinging a lead, marked at various points to indicate multiples of fathoms

Word History and Origins

Origin of lead line¹

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

Mr. Eddy, who was self-taught, devised his rhythmic melodicism by playing the lead lines on his recordings on his guitar’s bass strings and by liberally using the vibrato bar.

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Oregon, which could have accepted $37 million, said inventories are going to be done with existing staff and resources, adding that utilities have no known lead lines.

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And the money is only going to places that replace lead lines in their entirety.

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The Biden administration has also prioritized replacing millions of lead lines around the country, including $15 billion in the federal infrastructure bill for the work.

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State officials still expressed confidence they will find their lead lines by the federal government’s 2024 deadline and communities will have time to apply for funds.

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