leading

¹ American  

[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

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

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noun

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

leading ² American  

[led-ing] / ˈlɛd ɪŋ /

noun

1. a covering or framing of lead.

   the leading of a stained-glass window.

2. Printing.  lead.

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leading ¹ British  

/ 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

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leading ² British  

/ ˈlɛdɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• leadingly adverb

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

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

Example Sentences

Cryptos had been at the leading edge of a deterioration, and then recovery, in wider risk sentiment in recent weeks, falling through November but bouncing back in the last week of the month.

From Barron's

“Or do we want to be a party that is leading the vanguard to protect workers and to fight for working families?”

From Salon

Cryptos had been at the leading edge of a deterioration, and then recovery, in wider risk sentiment in recent weeks, falling through November but bouncing back into the last week of the month.

From Barron's

Economists project annual productivity gains will average 1.3% through the decade, potentially leading to U.S.

From Barron's

While stocks rallied to end November, market sentiment to start the new month seemed less sure, with Bitcoin—often the leading edge of risk sentiment—seeing a wave of selling.

From Barron's

Related Words

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