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.

Origin of leading

1
1250–1300; Middle English (noun); see lead1, -ing2, -ing1

SYNONYMS FOR leading

3 ruling, governing.

OTHER WORDS FROM leading

lead·ing·ly, adverb

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).

Origin of leading

2
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at lead2, -ing1

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

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, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lead

lead led

Example 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, adverb

British 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, adjective

Word 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