1. To guide or direct someone or something into something or some place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is usually used between "lead" and "into." I dug a path that would lead excess rain water into the drainage ditch by the side of our house. The officer led us into the courtroom to await our sentence.

2. To transition or segue into something else. The extended monologue leads into a beautiful description of the Appalachian mountains. Her guitar solo leads into an orchestral arrangement of the band's most popular single.