direct vs lead

direct is not a noun while lead is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
direct	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
lead	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, direct and lead are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of direct include conduct.

As verbs, direct and lead are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of direct include conduct, guide, take.

As verbs, lead is a hyponym of direct; that is, lead is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than direct:

Other hyponyms of direct include give, have, hold, make, throw, guide, steer, head, operate, run, administer.

direct (noun)	lead (noun)
	the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
	a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase `take the lead')
	a jumper that consists of a short piece of wire
	thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
	restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
	the timing of ignition relative to the position of the piston in an internal-combustion engine
	an advantage held by a competitor in a race
	evidence pointing to a possible solution
	a news story of major importance
	the introductory section of a story
	an indication of potential opportunity
	(baseball) the position taken by a base runner preparing to advance to the next base
	an actor who plays a principal role
	(sports) the score by which a team or individual is winning
	the angle between the direction a gun is aimed and the position of a moving target (correcting for the flight time of the missile)
	mixture of graphite with clay in different degrees of hardness; the marking substance in a pencil
	a soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element; bluish white when freshly cut but tarnishes readily to dull grey

direct (adjective)	lead (adjective)
direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short
(of a current) flowing in one direction only
straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action
similar in nature or effect or relation to another quantity
in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
moving from west to east on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in the same direction as the Earth
lacking compromising or mitigating elements
in precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker
having no intervening persons, agents, conditions
being an immediate result or consequence

direct (verb)	lead (verb)
plan and direct (a complex undertaking)	cause to undertake a certain action
specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public	preside over
command with authority	lead, as in the performance of a composition
give directions to; point somebody into a certain direction	travel in front of; go in advance of others
put an address on (an envelope)	take somebody somewhere
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards	move ahead (of others) in time or space
intend (something) to move towards a certain goal	be in charge of
guide the actors in (plays and films)	be conducive to
lead, as in the performance of a composition	stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
take somebody somewhere	be ahead of others; be the first
cause to go somewhere	cause something to pass or lead somewhere
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling	lead, extend, or afford access
govern or manage	produce as a result or residue
	tend to or result in

direct (adverb)	lead (adverb)
without deviation