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.
Hunter was somewhat optimistic leading up to the tribal council and said that he thought some of the jury members had come with an open mind.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Early in his managerial career, leading Barcelona, he said privately he had betrayed himself in a match against Inter Milan.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Chip and metals stocks are leading the gains.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
For example, dormant viruses that remain inactive for years can become active again when the immune system weakens with age, leading to conditions such as shingles.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
If he hadn’t had the arrow leading the way, he would have been in this labyrinth forever.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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.
