leading edge

[ lee-ding ]

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.

leading edge

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. See trailing edge
   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

Other Words From

• leading-edge adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leading edge¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Sometimes you get a pair of these rotating columns that tilt forward at the leading edge of the fire, and where those come together, they can accelerate the fire between them, or slow it down.

From Nautilus

They are the leading edge of a generation whose mothers and fathers had children later in life.

From Time

It’s a race between the leading edge in quantum computing and advances in traditional computing methods, each one trying to outpace the other.

From Fortune

Personally, I think regulators will continue to have a strong view on how we use certain leading edge technologies.

From Fortune

Warm fronts exist along the leading edge of warmer, humid air pushing into cooler, drier air.

From Outside Online

Today, the pace of leading-edge research with compounds in the cannabis plant is accelerating.

From The Daily Beast

A talk with three women on the leading edge of our wine culture.

From The Daily Beast

It was definitely the heart of not just the American avant-garde but the leading edge of all Western art.

From The Daily Beast

The sitcoms from the 1980s and 90s were on the leading edge of this shift.

From The Daily Beast

The set measurement is taken from the front of the lower leading edge to the plumb-lines.

From Project Gutenberg

Plumb-lines must be dropped over the leading edge of the top surface wherever struts occur, and also near the fuselage.

From Project Gutenberg

Now stand in front of it and line up the leading edge with the main spar, rear spar, and trailing edge.

From Project Gutenberg

For steering, both vertical and horizontal, a hinged tail was provided, and the leading edge of each wing was made flexible.

From Project Gutenberg

These longitudinals and the skids end at the leading edge of the back plane and the laminated skids and wheels are placed there.

From Project Gutenberg