: 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
And give yourself enough lead time to come up with a backup plan if the neighbors say no.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
By factoring in lead times, transportation costs, current inventory and regional demand patterns, the system makes billions of weekly predictions, helping Target improve product availability year after year.
—Gurhan Kok, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Customers are prioritizing suppliers who can offer complete solutions under one roof, reduce lead times, and simplify supply chains.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
Usually Cervantes and his staff have at least five months of lead time to find voting sites, hire staff and procure all the machines, pens and ballots for a statewide election.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 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.
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
By factoring in lead times, transportation costs, current inventory and regional demand patterns, the system makes billions of weekly predictions, helping Target improve product availability year after year.
—Gurhan Kok, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Customers are prioritizing suppliers who can offer complete solutions under one roof, reduce lead times, and simplify supply chains.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
Usually Cervantes and his staff have at least five months of lead time to find voting sites, hire staff and procure all the machines, pens and ballots for a statewide election.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share