leading
1
[ lee-ding ]
/ ˈli dɪŋ /
adjective
chief; principal; most important; foremost: a leading toy manufacturer.
coming in advance of others; first: We rode in the leading car.
directing, guiding.
noun
the act of a person or thing that leads.
OTHER WORDS FROM leading
lead·ing·ly, adverbWords nearby leading
Definition for leading (2 of 4)
leading
2
[ led-ing ]
/ ˈlɛd ɪŋ /
noun
a covering or framing of lead: the leading of a stained-glass window.
Printing.
lead2(def 7).
Definition for leading (3 of 4)
Origin of lead
1
before 900; Middle English
leden, Old English
lǣdan (causative of
līthan to go, travel); cognate with Dutch
leiden, German
leiten, Old Norse
leitha
SYNONYMS FOR lead
synonym study for lead
1. See
guide.
Definition for leading (4 of 4)
lead
2
[ led ]
/ lɛd /
noun
verb (used with object)
adjective
made of or containing lead: a lead pipe; a lead compound.
Origin of lead
2
before 900; Middle English
lede, Old English
lēad; cognate with Dutch
lood, Old Frisian
lād lead, German
Lot plummet
OTHER WORDS FROM lead
lead·less, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lead
lead ledExample sentences from the Web for leading
British Dictionary definitions for leading (1 of 4)
leading
1
/ (ˈliːdɪŋ) /
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
Derived forms of leading
leadingly, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for leading (2 of 4)
leading
2
/ (ˈlɛdɪŋ) /
noun
printing
the spacing between lines of photocomposed or digitized type
Also called: interlinear spacing
British Dictionary definitions for leading (3 of 4)
lead
1
/ (liːd) /
verb leads, leading or led (lɛd)
noun
Word Origin for lead
Old English
lǣdan; related to
līthan to travel, Old High German
līdan to go
British Dictionary definitions for leading (4 of 4)
lead
2
/ (lɛd) /
noun
verb (tr)
Derived forms of lead
leadless, adjective leady, adjectiveWord Origin for lead
Old English; related to Dutch
lood, German
Lot
Scientific definitions for leading
lead
[ lĕd ]
Pb
A soft, ductile, heavy, bluish-gray metallic element that is extracted chiefly from galena. It is very durable and resistant to corrosion and is a poor conductor of electricity. Lead is used to make radiation shielding and containers for corrosive substances. It was once commonly used in pipes, solder, roofing, paint, and antiknock compounds in gasoline, but its use in these products has been curtailed because of its toxicity. Atomic number 82; atomic weight 207.2; melting point 327.5°C; boiling point 1,744°C; specific gravity 11.35; valence 2, 4. See Periodic Table. See Note at element.
Idioms and Phrases with leading
lead