leading

¹

[lee-ding]

adjective

1. chief; principal; most important; foremost.

   a leading toy manufacturer.

2. coming in advance of others; first.

   We rode in the leading car.

3. directing, guiding.

   Synonyms: ruling

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that leads.

leading

²

[led-ing]

noun

1. a covering or framing of lead.

   the leading of a stained-glass window.

2. Printing.,  lead.

leading

¹

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

adjective

1. guiding, directing, or influencing

2. (prenominal) principal or primary

3. in the first position

   the leading car in the procession

4. 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

leading

²

/ ˈlɛdɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called: interlinear spacing. printing the spacing between lines of photocomposed or digitized type

Other Word Forms

• leadingly adverb

Word History and Origins

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

First recorded in 1400–50; lead ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"Everything was leading to this. She was born for this," her former Penn State University head coach Erica Dambach told BBC Sport.

From BBC

The blaze had grown to 200 acres by 8 p.m., leading authorities to expand evacuation warnings as hand crews and a firefighting helicopter worked to combat the flames.

From Los Angeles Times

In the past the CDC has been instrumental in global health, leading the response to crises from famine, to HIV, to Ebola.

From BBC

Tensions between the Turtles and White Whale escalated in 1970, leading the group to disband.

From Los Angeles Times

During six seasons leading the Trojans, he brought a sense of stability back to the USC football program after a decade of dysfunction.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• best 
• dominant 
• famous 
• main 
• noted 
• outstanding 
• popular 
• preeminent 
• principal 
• prominent 
• top 
• well-known