In electronics, a lead is an electrical connection consisting of a length of wire or soldering pad (smd) that comes from a device. Leads are used for physical support, to transfer power, to probe circuits (see multimeter), and to transmit information. The tiny leads coming off through-hole components are also often called pins.
These pins often either bend under the package body like a letter "J" (J-lead) or come out, down, and form a flat foot for securing to the board (S-lead or gull-lead).