先導|せんどうsendou[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbguidance; leadership; leading the way
   そのパレードは軍楽隊ぐんがくたいに先導せんどうされた。↗

   The parade was led by an army band.

• SynonymリードNeutralA loanword with broad uses for leading or taking the lead, including being ahead on points or goals — senses 「先導」 doesn't cover.
• Synonym率いるひきいるNeutralA verb for commanding or heading a group; the focus is leading a body of people, not walking ahead to show the way as 「先導」 does.
• Synonym導くみちびくNeutralA verb for guiding someone to a place or a conclusion, as in 「勝利に導く」 or 「破滅に導く」; 「先導」 stresses going ahead and leading the way.
• SynonymガイドNeutralLoanword for a guide or guidebook, centered on sightseeing; 「先導」 is going ahead to lead the way in any setting, a tour group included.
• Synonym案内あんないNeutralThe everyday word for showing someone around or the way, and for notices; far more common in daily speech than 「先導」.
• Synonym誘導ゆうどうNeutralDirecting the flow of people or traffic, and also steering or coaxing someone toward something; 「先導」 is leading at the front.
• Related先立つさきだつNeutralA verb for going or coming first — preceding, taking the lead, or dying before someone; stresses time order, while 「先導」 stresses leading the way from the front.
• Related手引きてびきNeutralGuidance or an introductory handbook, but also abetting from inside, as in 「犯人の手引き」 — a sense 「先導」 lacks.
• Related指導しどうNeutralInstruction and coaching — passing on methods or skills, as in 「指導者」; 「先導」 is going ahead and leading others along, not teaching them.
• Related指揮しきNeutralCommand and direction — overseeing the whole operation, and also conducting an orchestra or choir; 「先導」 is just leading from the front.
• Related主導しゅどうWrittenWritten word for taking the lead and holding the initiative, as in 「民間主導」; about control of a project, not leading the way.
• Related統率とうそつWrittenFormal word for keeping an organization or group under command, as in 「統率力」; about overall control, not leading the way.
• Related引率いんそつNeutralTaking charge of a group on an outing, typically a teacher escorting pupils, as in 「引率の先生」; 「先導」 is going ahead to show the way.
• Related道案内みちあんないNeutralShowing a lost person the way, centered on how to get there; it can include walking ahead of them, and also names a signpost. 「先導」 is leading from the front.
• Related導きみちびきNeutralA noun for guidance, often with a spiritual tone, as in 「神の導き」; 「先導」 is the act of going ahead and leading others on.
• RelatedリーダーシップNeutralLoanword for leadership as a leader's ability or qualities — not the act of leading the way that 「先導」 describes.
• RelatedガイダンスNeutralLoanword for a briefing that explains how things work to newcomers, such as an entrance orientation; 「先導」 is going ahead and leading others on.
• Related率先そっせんNeutralTaking the initiative and doing something first oneself, as in 「率先して行動」; about being first to act, not guiding others' way.
• Related舵取りかじとりNeutralLiterally steering a boat; figuratively deciding the course of a group, as in 「経営の舵取り」 — setting direction rather than leading the way.
• Related牽引けんいんWrittenWritten word for pulling or towing, and figuratively driving something forward, as in 「景気を牽引」 — powering growth, not guiding the way.
• Related唱導しょうどうWrittenA rare, literary word for advocating a cause, originally for leading people to Buddhist faith; unlike everyday 「先導」.
• Antonym後続こうぞくNeutralFollowing or trailing behind, as in 「後続車」 — the direct opposite of 「先導」 going ahead.
• Antonym追従ついじゅうWrittenWritten word for following behind someone — the opposite of 「先導」 leading from the front.

Use 「先導」 for leading the way from the front, as in 「パトカーが先導する」 or 「先導役」. For everyday showing the way say 「案内」; for heading a group 「率いる」; for guiding toward a goal 「導く」; for escorting students 「引率」; for channeling crowds or traffic 「誘導」. The opposites are 「後続」 and 「追従」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 先さきに立たち、導みちびくこと。