lead-off

American

[leed-awf, -of] / ˈlidˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

adjective

leading off or beginning.

the lead-off item on the agenda.

lead off British

/ liːd /

verb

to initiate the action of (something); begin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

an initial move or action
a person or thing that begins something

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lead off Idioms

Begin, start, go first. For example, We have a panel of three speakers, so will you lead off? [c. 1800]

Etymology

Origin of lead-off

First recorded in 1885–90; adj. use of verb phrase lead off

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.

“We really look for that lead-off to be very steady,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

It was the lead-off single to “Parade,” the full soundtrack album to Prince’s 1986 vanity lap “Under the Cherry Moon,” in which he directed and starred, and premiered months after “Kiss” became a hit.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

“A lead-off walk, that never ends well,” Miller said.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2024

That has worked so far, even if it meant moving a successful lead-off hitter in Thomas to second in the lineup.

From Washington Times • Jul. 9, 2023

Every one knew it was borrowed, for he had asked about twenty of his friends during the last week whether that wouldn’t be “a showy lead-off for his cricket feast jaw?”

From The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's A School Story by Reed, Talbot Baines

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023