leading

lead·ing

adjective \ˈlē-diŋ\

Definition of LEADING

1

: coming or ranking first : foremost

2

: exercising leadership

3

: providing direction or guidance <a leading question>

4

: given most prominent display <the leading story>

Examples of LEADING

1. a leading topic of conversation
2. Their family played a leading part in the settlement of the town.
3. the leading role in a major Hollywood movie
4. a leading citizen of the town
5. She's one of the leading authorities on the stock market.

First Known Use of LEADING

1597

Related to LEADING

Synonyms

arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, foremost, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms

last, least

Related Words

distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Rhymes with LEADING

bleeding, breeding, reading, reeding