leading

/ˈlē-diŋ/

adjective

  1. coming or ranking first : foremost

  2. exercising leadership

  3. providing direction or guidance

noun

  1. a covering or framework of lead

  2. the distance between a pair of adjacent lines in composed text

repaired the leading in the church's stained glass windows

verb

  1. to guide on a way especially by going in advance

  2. to direct on a course or in a direction

  3. to serve as a channel for

led the officers to his hiding place

a road leading the traveler to the heart of the city

guide lead steer pilot engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed. guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers. lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.