leading edge

American  

[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

noun

1. Aeronautics. the edge of an airfoil or propeller blade facing the direction of motion.

2. something that is or represents the most advanced or innovative aspect of a field, activity, profession, etc.; forefront; vanguard.

   the leading edge of technology.

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leading edge British  

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the forward edge of a propeller blade, aerofoil, or wing Compare trailing edge

2. electrical engineering the part of a pulse signal that has an increasing amplitude

3. 1. the leading position in any field

   2. ( as modifier )

      leading-edge technology

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Other Word Forms

• leading-edge adjective

Etymology

Origin of leading edge

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Alberto Carvalho introduced “Ed” the AI chatbot amid fanfare in March 2024, touting a revolutionary tool that would put the district at the leading edge of school technology.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The VCR was also the leading edge of a cluster of inexpensive consumer electronics in the 1980s that transformed domestic life: the Walkman, answering machines, videogames, video cameras and PCs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

"It had been assumed that faults follow the leading edge of the subducting slab, but this example deviates from that," Materna said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

Root eventually offered a leading edge to a diving Neser in the bowler's follow-through, part of England's final collapse of 4-9.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

To grab their share, the pigeons at the rear constantly fluttered over the heads of their compatriots and landed at the leading edge of the front.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• cutting edge
• forefront
• vanguard