: the time between the beginning of a process or project and the appearance of its results
Examples of lead time in a Sentence
We will need at least six months lead time before production begins.
Recent Examples on the Web
With long lead times, rapid demand shifts and mounting geopolitical risk, companies must move from reactive to proactive planning.
—
Umesh Kumar Sharma, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The jetpacks are made to order in the U.K., with a three-month lead time required for each.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 July 2025
This allows for faster lead times, rigorous quality control, and a significantly lower ecological footprint.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 23 July 2025
The company quotes an 8- to 12-week lead time for most of its customizable pieces, and mine arrived right around the 12-week mark.
—Malia Griggs, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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Umesh Kumar Sharma, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The jetpacks are made to order in the U.K., with a three-month lead time required for each.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 July 2025
This allows for faster lead times, rigorous quality control, and a significantly lower ecological footprint.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 23 July 2025
The company quotes an 8- to 12-week lead time for most of its customizable pieces, and mine arrived right around the 12-week mark.
—Malia Griggs, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
Cite this Entry
“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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