: 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
Wall Street analysts at JPMorgan and Bank of America have said that lead times, a key gauge of demand, for iPhone 17 models tracked better than for iPhone 16 models.
—
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Special considerations Developing jacquard denim often requires more time and collaboration than traditional denim, with a longer lead time and deeper involvement from the design team to ensure their vision is fully realized, Ix explained.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation says the lead time, the wait between placing an order and the product being delivered, hit roughly 120 weeks – more than two years – in 2024, with large power transformers taking as long as 210 weeks – up to four years.
—Kyri Baker, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
This shift would aim to shorten lead times and reduce tariff uncertainty while maintaining the company’s certification standards for recycled and low-impact materials, Talbot said.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Special considerations Developing jacquard denim often requires more time and collaboration than traditional denim, with a longer lead time and deeper involvement from the design team to ensure their vision is fully realized, Ix explained.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation says the lead time, the wait between placing an order and the product being delivered, hit roughly 120 weeks – more than two years – in 2024, with large power transformers taking as long as 210 weeks – up to four years.
—Kyri Baker, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
This shift would aim to shorten lead times and reduce tariff uncertainty while maintaining the company’s certification standards for recycled and low-impact materials, Talbot said.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 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 Dec. 2025.
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