: 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
As clients look for more agility, authenticity and accountability, Barbut said Rimaks is well-positioned to provide fast, flexible prototyping with low MOQs and short lead times.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Given the weeks, months, or even years of lead time required to procure most kinds of energy hardware, many requests for replacement parts that haven’t already been made will be difficult to fulfill this winter, making each new strike more difficult to recover from than the last.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Typically, the lead time given is at least two years.
—Kurt Strovink, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Congress would need to provide CMS with some lead time to adjust for enhanced subsidy extension.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Given the weeks, months, or even years of lead time required to procure most kinds of energy hardware, many requests for replacement parts that haven’t already been made will be difficult to fulfill this winter, making each new strike more difficult to recover from than the last.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Typically, the lead time given is at least two years.
—Kurt Strovink, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Congress would need to provide CMS with some lead time to adjust for enhanced subsidy extension.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share