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 company is a leading provider of computers and servers for artificial intelligence.

Read more on Barron's

All this and a subtext of relationships among the leading artists of the period.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As ever, I am focused on our clients and on leading in the rapidly evolving global market for corporate governance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She’s support-staffed enough of other people’s stories these last few years; somebody please give this world-class actor her own heavenly leading role.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It said it had a "narrow interpretation of opportunities in its remit", leading to gaps in provision in areas like audio, comedy, architecture and gaming.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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