lead time

Or lead-time

[leed]

noun

1. the period of time between the initial phase of a process and the emergence of results, as between the planning and completed manufacture of a product.

lead time

/ liːd /

noun

1. manufacturing the time between the design of a product and its production

2. commerce the time from the placing of an order to the delivery of the goods

Word History and Origins

Origin of lead time¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

Saraiya said Koerner has helped identify roadblocks to progress — such as the typical lead time in lining up utility services — and the county is working to streamline the entire rebuilding process for everyone.

From Los Angeles Times

At Southwest Airlines, lead time can be eight to 10 months.

From Los Angeles Times

Keely Hodgkinson makes a triumphant return from a hamstring injury with a new world lead time of 1.54.74 to win the women's 800m race at the Diamond League event in Silesia, Poland.

From BBC

President Clinton was given the longest lead time to respond, with a deadline of October 14.

From Salon

The ultimate goal of the federally funded program was to create better forecasts with more lead time.

From Salon

Related Words

• arrangement 
• construction 
• education 
• establishment 
• formation 
• groundwork 
• measure 
• plan 
• precaution 
• preparedness 
• qualification 
• rehearsal 
• study 
• training