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

Boston Scientific is at the leading edge of technological advancement.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Another wave looms behind us—the crest full of red eyes like the leading edge of a lava flow.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• cutting edge
• forefront
• vanguard