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
plural leadings
1
: a covering or framework of lead
repaired the leading in the church's stained-glass windows
2
typography
: the distance between a pair of adjacent lines in composed text
increased the leading after the header
a leading of 6 points
Examples of leading in a Sentence
Adjective
a leading topic of conversation
Their family played a leading part in the settlement of the town.
the leading role in a major Hollywood movie
a leading citizen of the town
She's one of the leading authorities on the stock market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
This executive conversation will explore the forces redefining modern retail and how leading organizations are building more agile, intelligent and connected operating models to drive sales and boost margins.
—Sj Studio, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
ABC News, 10 June 2026
Diversity demos from Paramoutn show 37% Latino and Hispanic leading, 36% Caucasian, 21% Black and 6% other.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
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Adjective
The musical originally premiered in 1975 with legendary leading ladies Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera playing Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
This executive conversation will explore the forces redefining modern retail and how leading organizations are building more agile, intelligent and connected operating models to drive sales and boost margins.
—Sj Studio, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Noun
Marshall also didn't read much into the 3-2 victory over Senegal in a friendly leading into the tournament.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Diversity demos from Paramoutn show 37% Latino and Hispanic leading, 36% Caucasian, 21% Black and 6% other.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for leading
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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