leading light

[ lee-ding ]

noun

1. an important or influential person:

   a leading light of the community.

leading light

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. an important or outstanding person, esp in an organization or cause
2. nautical a less common term for range light

Word History and Origins

Origin of leading light¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Idioms and Phrases

An important or influential individual, as in Jim was a leading light in his community . This expression, alluding to moral guidance, dates from about 1870, but terms such as a shining light have been used for an outstanding person since the first half of the 1500s.

Example Sentences

President Obama delivered a soaring eulogy for the late Richard Holbrooke today, calling him a "leading light" of U.S. diplomacy.

From The Daily Beast

Phil May was a leading light of the society, and the grimy and bedaubed plaster laughed with his conceits at every turn.

From Project Gutenberg

Since Guerrita, not a single matador of leading light has arisen.

From Project Gutenberg

One of them, the leading light of the local Nationalist party, is rated at £8.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Waldron: These people will think North Dakota is a dark place if this is a leading light.

From Project Gutenberg

In due time he would become a leading light and go to Congress.

From Project Gutenberg