leading
LEE-dihng
Leading (adjective) means Most important or most prominent; ranking first. Example: “He is one of the leading experts on bird migration.”
adjective
1
Most important or most prominent; ranking first.
"He is one of the leading experts on bird migration."
"She plays the leading role in the new film."
"The company is a leading supplier of solar panels."
2
Guiding or directing.
"A leading question suggests the answer the speaker wants to hear."
"The lawyer objected that the interviewer was asking leading questions."
"He asked a leading question to steer the conversation."
noun
1
In printing and design, the vertical space added between lines of text.
"The designer adjusted the leading so the lines of text no longer looked cramped."
"Tight leading makes a page look crowded, while loose leading gives it room."
"Increasing the leading made the paragraph easier to read."
How to use leading
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- leadings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He is one of the _____ experts on bird migration.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for leading
wading
fading
reading
heading
trading
loading
shading
pleading
treading
parading
spreading
uploading
See all rhymes for leading →
Frequently asked questions
What does “leading” mean?
The word “leading” means most important or most prominent; ranking first. In plain terms, coming first or guiding the way — or, in design, the gap between lines of text.
How do you pronounce “leading”?
“Leading” is pronounced LEE-dihng (/ˈlidɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leading” in a sentence?
Here is “leading” used in a sentence: “She plays the leading role in the new film.”
What part of speech is “leading”?
Depending on how it is used, “leading” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “leading” a common word?
“Leading” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “leading” have?
“Leading” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: most important or most prominent; ranking first.
What does 'leading' mean when describing a company or person?
It means the most important, successful, or prominent in its field — ranking first among rivals. A 'leading company' is at the front of its industry; a 'leading expert' is among the most respected in their subject. The word marks something as a front-runner rather than merely good.
What is the difference between 'leading' and 'top'?
Both suggest the highest rank, and they often work as synonyms — a 'leading brand' and a 'top brand' are similar. 'Top' is a little more casual and can simply mean best or highest. 'Leading' adds the sense of being out in front and setting the direction others follow.
What is an example of 'leading' used as an adjective?
You will see it before a noun to mark first rank: 'the leading cause of delays,' 'a leading newspaper,' 'the leading role in a play,' or 'the country's leading scientist.' In each case, 'leading' singles the thing out as the most important, prominent, or foremost of its kind.
Does 'leading' always mean 'most important'?
In this adjective sense, yes — it marks something as foremost or ranking first. But the same spelling has other meanings: as a verb form it means guiding or being ahead, as in 'leading the way,' and in printing, 'leading' is the spacing between lines of text. Context shows which is meant.
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