white lead

noun

: any of several white pigments containing lead
especially : a heavy poisonous basic carbonate of lead marketed as a powder or as a paste in linseed oil and used especially formerly in paints

Examples of white lead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, one 2024 film with two white leads, The Fall Guy, notably had less attendance from BIPOC and women moviegoers. — Liz Elting, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 Leads of color have increased in new shows since 2018 and have outnumbered white leads since 2020. 63.4% of leads were characters of color in 2023, an increase of 7.3% from 2022. — Maxwell Millington, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white lead was before the 12th century

Rhymes for white lead

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Cite this Entry

“White lead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20lead. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

white lead

noun
: a heavy white poisonous carbonate of lead used formerly as a coloring matter in exterior paints

Medical Definition

white lead

noun
: any of several white lead-containing pigments
especially : a heavy poisonous basic carbonate of lead of variable composition used especially formerly in paints
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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