leading
1 Americanadjective
-
chief; principal; most important; foremost.
a leading toy manufacturer.
-
coming in advance of others; first.
We rode in the leading car.
-
directing, guiding.
- Synonyms:
- ruling
noun
adjective
-
guiding, directing, or influencing
-
(prenominal) principal or primary
-
in the first position
the leading car in the procession
-
maths (of a coefficient) associated with the term of highest degree in a polynomial containing one variable
in 5x² + 2x + 3, 5 is the leading coefficient
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of leading1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (noun); lead 1 ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; lead 1 ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun sense
Origin of leading2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Leading companies have different business models, and it is important to know where each one fits into the energy puzzle.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Leading up to Abel’s succession, Berkshire had made moves to align related subsidiaries in its far-flung portfolio, last year bringing Helzberg Diamonds and Ben Bridge Jeweler under one chief executive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Leading up to today, Microsoft’s stock had closed below the 200-day moving average for 98 consecutive trading days — the longest stretch below the benchmark since 2023.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
Leading the White House briefing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to confirm that an agreement had been reached.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Leading TimeStar, Otto circled the Lev-Port as if admiring the exterior, in case Sheed could see them from inside.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
