adjective

leading

LEE-dihng

adjective

Most important or most prominent; ranking first.

"She plays the leading role in the new film."

"The company is a leading supplier of solar panels."

Guiding or directing.

"He asked a leading question to steer the conversation."

noun

In printing and design, the vertical space added between lines of text.

"Increasing the leading made the paragraph easier to read."

How to Use Leading

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishComing first or guiding the way — or, in design, the gap between lines of text.

Common mistake

A "leading question" is one that nudges someone toward a particular answer, not simply a question asked first.

Common pairings

leading role leading question leading edge leading brand

Word Forms

leadings plural

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She plays the _____ role in the new film.

Etymology

From lead (the verb, "to guide") plus -ing; the typography sense comes from the old practice of inserting thin strips of lead between lines of metal type.

Rhymes for leading

wading fading reading heading trading loading shading pleading treading parading spreading uploading

See all rhymes for leading →