lead time

noun

ˈlēd- 

: 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

The report identified aggressive price negotiations, unpredictable orders and unrealistic lead times as potential obstacles to improving wages and working conditions. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Intel told some Chinese customers earlier this year that lead times for certain server CPUs had stretched to six months, Quartz reported. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Morgan Stanley reported late Friday that the global 14-week average preorder lead time was a record. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

While many nations were already moving towards taking over their maternal and child health needs, lead times for orders can be a year or more, five former USAID officials said. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lead time

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime