: 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 lead time Adidas requires is several months for final designs to be in for 2026-27, so there is no chance a new badge will be confirmed in time.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Our approach reduces waste, shortens lead times and removes the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
On two occasions within the last year, the Space Force asked SpaceX to launch a GPS navigation satellite with just a few months of lead time to prepare for the mission.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Until those midstream gaps close, downstream players face single‑point‑of‑failure risk, longer logistics chains and unpredictable lead times.
—Brendon Grunewald, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Our approach reduces waste, shortens lead times and removes the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.
—Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
On two occasions within the last year, the Space Force asked SpaceX to launch a GPS navigation satellite with just a few months of lead time to prepare for the mission.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
Until those midstream gaps close, downstream players face single‑point‑of‑failure risk, longer logistics chains and unpredictable lead times.
—Brendon Grunewald, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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