definition of
[in the lead]

[1] #1 in the lead r. leading or ahead in a competition; "the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch"; "ahead by two pawns"; "our candidate is in the lead in the polls"; "way out front in the race"; "the advertising campaign put them out front in sales". wn

[2] #2 in the lead s. having the leading position or higher score in a contest; "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race". wn