Meaning of in the lead

(adj) having the leading position or higher score in a contest; "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race"

(adv) 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"