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 ²( def 7 ).

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. printing the spacing between lines of photocomposed or digitized type Also calledinterlinear spacing

Derived Forms

• ˈleadingly, adverb

Other Words From

• leading·ly 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

Globally, preterm birth is the leading cause of infant mortality and the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 5.

From Science Daily

The scientist, who was not charged, has sued the government for allegedly disclosing private information about her from the investigation, leading to a subpoena to Ms. Herridge.

From New York Times

But the tough carbon-fluorine bonds in the compounds resist being torn apart, leading to expensive remediation schemes that rely on powerful chemicals and high temperatures and pressures.

From Science Magazine

When she could not be located, a missing person investigation was launched, leading to the discovery of her body in the boot of a car on Brisbane Road, Ilford, on 14 November.

From BBC

This could dramatically reduce the amount of tritium needed to start up and maintain fusion reactions, leading to more compact and affordable fusion systems.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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