: 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
Monitor key performance indicators (fill rate, lead time adherence, machine downtime).
—
Dileep Rai, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Navy data showed that the robots had helped reduce lead time and work hours, as well as identify defects that may have otherwise been missed by traditional inspection methods.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 10 June 2025
Initial damage reports came in at around 6:53 a.m., suggesting there was only minutes of lead time before the tornado struck.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Lever 2: Use Geography to Your Advantage Relocating supply chains closer to end markets can reduce lead times, skirt tariffs, and increase responsiveness.
—Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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Dileep Rai, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Navy data showed that the robots had helped reduce lead time and work hours, as well as identify defects that may have otherwise been missed by traditional inspection methods.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 10 June 2025
Initial damage reports came in at around 6:53 a.m., suggesting there was only minutes of lead time before the tornado struck.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Lever 2: Use Geography to Your Advantage Relocating supply chains closer to end markets can reduce lead times, skirt tariffs, and increase responsiveness.
—Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 3 June 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 28 Jun. 2025.
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