leading edge

[ lee-ding ]

noun

1. Aeronautics. the edge of an airfoil or propeller blade facing the direction of motion.
2. something that is or represents the most advanced or innovative aspect of a field, activity, profession, etc.; forefront; vanguard:

   the leading edge of technology.

leading edge

/ ˈliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the forward edge of a propeller blade, aerofoil, or wing Compare trailing edge
2. electrical engineering the part of a pulse signal that has an increasing amplitude
3. 1. the leading position in any field
   2. ( as modifier )

      leading-edge technology

Other Words From

• leading-edge adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leading edge¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Though the Port of L.A. and its Long Beach sister facility are on the leading edge, other seaports around the country also have been moving to electrify their operations.

From Los Angeles Times

“Pixar was the leading edge of creating this art form,” said Ron Bernard, academic chair of animation and motion design at Otis College of Art and Design.

From Los Angeles Times

A key feature of fronts is that their leading edges feature strong vertical velocities that can create winds or currents.

From Science Daily

The leading edge of this generation entered adulthood about the time John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

From Salon

The weather service said several gustnadoes formed Sunday in western Michigan during a thunderstorm “along portions of the leading edge of the storm’s gust front.”

From Seattle Times