lead-off
adjective
leading off or beginning.
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led off.
lead-off
American
[leed-awf, -of]
/ ˈlidˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
adjective
lead off
British
/ liːd /
verb
noun
-
an initial move or action
-
a person or thing that begins something
lead off
Idioms
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.
See Examples For:
The four-year MLB veteran is up to 12 career lead-off homers and has three in 2026.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 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
Lowe’s two-run homer to left followed Corey Seager’s lead-off walk.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 19, 2023
As regards “points” it is well to lunge out, as one does when making a left-handed lead-off in boxing, so as to gain somewhat in the reach.
From Broad-Sword and Single-Stick With Chapters on Quarter-Staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking-Stick, Umbrella and Other Weapons of Self-Defence by Rowland George Allanson Allanson-Winn, Baron Headley
The Dodgers swept the three-game weekend series against the supposed contenders behind three starting pitchers who will lead off the playoffs yet who would not all be here if Walter didn’t own the joint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
If Norris can keep the lead off the line to the end of the first lap, he has a chance.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
“I pretty much have an idea who I want to lead off and who’s my starter,” Young said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
"We've always stressed to any dog owners that dogs need to be kept on the lead, off the furniture. People are very aware of other people who don't like to be around dogs."
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2026
Luis takes his walking lead off second and stares at the pitcher’s hand.
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
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.
