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.
His medical team is accused of providing inadequate care in the lead-up to his death.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
She has beaten her personal best splits for this session, going faster than times posted in the lead-up to an outstanding indoor season in which she captured world gold and the indoor 800m world record.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
SpaceX’s $300 billion swing in market value this past week put Musk back in grind mode, having to execute on highflying promises made in the lead-up to the biggest IPO ever.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
In the lead-up to America’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, we’ve been examining the history of the country through the lens of money and business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 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.
