Leads

Leads can refer to several different concepts depending on the context. The term has meanings in chemistry, electronics, journalism, and business, among others.

Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. It is a dense, soft, malleable metal that resists corrosion in air. Lead has historically been used in pipes, pigments, solder, batteries, and shielding for radiation. Because lead compounds and metallic lead are toxic, exposure can cause serious health problems, especially in children, leading to strict regulations on mining, manufacturing, and disposal.

In electronics, a lead is a physical wire or pin that connects a component to a circuit. Leads may be insulated or bare, and they are often referred to by their function (input lead, output lead). Components such as transistors, integrated circuits, and sensors have leads that must be soldered or terminated to circuit boards.

In journalism, the lead (or lede) is the opening paragraph or summary that conveys the most essential facts of a story. It aims to answer the core questions of who, what, where, when, and why. The lead is typically followed by additional background or context that expands on the initial information.

In sales and marketing, a lead is a person or organization that has shown interest in a product or service and could become a customer. Lead generation collects information about prospects; leads are then qualified, scored, nurtured, and converted through the sales process.