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.
The findings were published in Nature, one of the world's leading scientific journals.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Now, Chiuri is back at the place that started it all, this time leading the charge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Consequentially, the two biggest legal challenges that consumed the days leading up to the midterms have effectively been shut down.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
In Piqua, the Meta project was the last straw, Lange said, leading to the removal of two city council members and the mayor.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
At the end it formed a T, leading to left and right.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
