leading edge
Americannoun
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Aeronautics. the edge of an airfoil or propeller blade facing the direction of motion.
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something that is or represents the most advanced or innovative aspect of a field, activity, profession, etc.; forefront; vanguard.
the leading edge of technology.
noun
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the forward edge of a propeller blade, aerofoil, or wing Compare trailing edge
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electrical engineering the part of a pulse signal that has an increasing amplitude
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the leading position in any field
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( as modifier )
leading-edge technology
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of leading edge
First recorded in 1875–80
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.
The leading edge represents the planet's morning side, where atmospheric winds carry air from the cooler night side toward the intensely hot day side.
From Science Daily • May 27, 2026
Board of Education was on the leading edge by adopting an on-campus student cellphone ban in June 2024.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
The courtroom standoff in Oakland, outside San Francisco, features some of the wealthiest people on the planet, representing tech companies at the leading edge of the AI revolution.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
They worried about allowing American firms to sell Chinese customers chips that are at or near the leading edge in terms of computing capability.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
