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
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.
U.S. stocks rose, with the Nasdaq leading gains, after SpaceX’s earnings gave a big boost to the artificial-intelligence trade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
A research paper published in Health Affairs, a leading peer-reviewed journal, found that our hospitals blew far more on admin than the hospitals in other rich countries.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
The vice president can’t stop with tedious jokes about Talarico, who is leading in statewide polls.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026
The original cast included Lea Michele, Amber Riley, the late Cory Monteith, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester, the optimistic teacher leading the fictional McKinley High's glee club.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
A small area with a concrete floor and stairs leading to every floor.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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