lead time
noun
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 times
-
pluralof lead time.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
To deal with shortfalls and delays, the Pentagon is "working to streamline procurement processes and production lead times, and to stockpile critical materials, components, and selected munitions," the report said.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
The long lead times for developing large, new assets means that further industry consolidation between the global copper giants is possible, Cryer adds.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
"That combination – dependence on foreign repair capacity and regulatory lead times – represents the real bottleneck," he says.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
“Demand continues to improve, imports remain subdued, and lead times are extending further.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Our lead times are longer than political lead times,” Ford said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
