leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlē-dər 

1

: something that leads: such as

a

: a primary or terminal shoot of a plant

b

: tendon, sinew

the leaders in his wrists moved like baling wire

—Dillon Anderson

c

leaders plural : dots or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally : ellipsis sense 2

d

chiefly British : a newspaper editorial

e(1)

: something for guiding fish into a trap

(2)

: a short length of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

f

: loss leader

g

: something that ranks first

the leaders among communicable diseases

h

: a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape

2

: a person who leads: such as

a

: guide, conductor

The tour leader recommended several restaurants in the area.

b(1)

: a person who directs a military force or unit

leaders of the army

(2)

: a person who has commanding authority or influence

a leader in the reform movement

c(1)

: the principal officer of a British political party

(2)

: a party member chosen to manage party activities in a legislative body

the majority leader

(3)

: such a party member presiding over the whole legislative body when the party constitutes a majority

the leader of the House

d(1)

: conductor sense c

the orchestra's leader

(2)

: a first or principal performer of a group

The concertmaster is the leader of the violin section.

3

: a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team

leaderless

ˈlē-dər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• conduit
• pipe
• channel
• tube
• line

Examples of leader in a Sentence

The tour leader suggested several restaurants in the area.

She was the leader for most of the race, but she eventually finished second.

The class focused on the great religious leaders of the last century.

the leader of an army

a leader of the antiwar movement

Some people are leaders, and some people are followers.

The company has become a leader in developing new technology.

the leader of a popular big band of the 1930s

The Times attacked the government in a leader today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emilia Pérez Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez follows the titular Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón), who seeks a fresh start — and a new identity as a woman — with the help of a lawyer (Zoe Saldaña, in her Oscar-winning role). —Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Others, like pain points and thought leaders, seem like things that AI got from business buzzword dictionaries. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Charlotte had six skill players with more than two targets on the game, but the team’s leader in receptions from a season ago, wideout Sean Brown, is not one of those. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025

Whatever the reason, the Chicago Cubs added to that total Friday, belting four long balls in an 11-5 win in front of 32,320 — including Sosa, the franchise’s all-time home run leader who will join Derrek Lee in being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame on Sunday. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing leader

• born/natural leader
• co-leader
• floor leader
• follow-the-leader
• leader of the opposition
• loss leader
• majority leader
• minority leader
• squadron leader

Rhymes for leader

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

Kids Definition

leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlēd-ər 

1

: something that leads: as

a

: a short line for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

b

: a pipe for conducting fluid

2

: a person that leads: as

a

: guide entry 1 sense 1a

b

: commander sense 1

c

: conductor sense 2

d

: a person in charge or in control : boss, chief

3

: a horse placed in front of the other horses of a team

leaderless

-ləs 

adjective

leadership

-ˌship

noun