leading

¹

[lee-ding]

adjective

1. chief; principal; most important; foremost.

   a leading toy manufacturer.

2. coming in advance of others; first.

   We rode in the leading car.

3. directing, guiding.

   Synonyms: ruling

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that leads.

leading

²

[led-ing]

noun

1. a covering or framing of lead.

   the leading of a stained-glass window.

2. Printing.,  lead.

leading

¹

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

adjective

1. guiding, directing, or influencing

2. (prenominal) principal or primary

3. in the first position

   the leading car in the procession

4. 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

leading

²

/ ˈlɛdɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called: interlinear spacing. printing the spacing between lines of photocomposed or digitized type

Other Word Forms

• leadingly adverb

Word History and Origins

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

First recorded in 1400–50; lead ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The police have responded with seemingly arbitrary mass arrests and in certain places things have turned violent, leading to the death of three protesters.

From BBC

Among those leading the way are a group of scientists in Switzerland, who I went to meet.

From BBC

Rabbi Daniel Walker was leading prayers when his synagogue was attacked and described seeing "evil and hate" as a man began "body-charging the doors, throwing heavy plant pots, doing whatever he could to get in".

From BBC

Drivers tackling the madness of westside traffic leading to or from the tangled 405 Freeway will surely empathize with Buggy Bear who looks as if he’s one wrong turn away from having a traffic-induced meltdown.

From Los Angeles Times

“I take a lot of pride in it,” said Betts, who wound up leading all MLB shortstops in defensive runs saved this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• best 
• dominant 
• famous 
• main 
• noted 
• outstanding 
• popular 
• preeminent 
• principal 
• prominent 
• top 
• well-known