leadership

[lee-der-ship]

noun

the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group: He managed to maintain his leadership of the party despite heavy opposition.

ability to lead: As early as sixth grade she displayed remarkable leadership potential.

an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: They prospered under his strong leadership.

the leaders of a group: The union leadership agreed to arbitrate.

Origin of leadership

First recorded in 1815–25; leader + -ship

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for leader-ship

leadership

noun

the position or function of a leader

the period during which a person occupies the position of leaderduring her leadership very little was achieved

the ability to lead
(as modifier)leadership qualities

the leaders as a group of a party, union, etcthe union leadership is now very reactionary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for leader-ship

leadership

1821, "position of a leader," from leader + -ship. Sense extended by late 19c. to "characteristics necessary to be a leader."