leading
1 Americanadjective
-
chief; principal; most important; foremost.
a leading toy manufacturer.
-
coming in advance of others; first.
We rode in the leading car.
-
directing, guiding.
- Synonyms:
- ruling
noun
adjective
-
guiding, directing, or influencing
-
(prenominal) principal or primary
-
in the first position
the leading car in the procession
-
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
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
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.
Leading market maker Citadel Securities says that retail cash equity volumes in May hit a record, doubling in two years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
"Leading by example is one of my biggest traits and my biggest mottos I try to live by. Whenever I'm on that pitch I try and do my best for the country."
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
Leading the purchases were legal officer Adam Rosman and CFO Paul Todd.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
Leading off the sixth inning, Ohtani pounced on a cutter that drifted toward the heart of the plate.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026
Leading up to it were four shallow steps, carpeted in black.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
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.
