lead time

noun

: 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
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.
Here are eight suggestions for ensuring a smooth hand-off of fundraising responsibilities: Make the most of your lead time. Victoria Burkhart, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 Maritime lead times range from two to 10 weeks, and production times vary significantly. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 May 2025 With 90% of trade moving by sea and lead times stretching from 2 to 10 weeks, delays are inevitable, especially in a volatile trade environment. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 Given the multiyear lead times and mutually reinforcing nature of these initiatives, the administration must undertake all of them with urgency. Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lead time

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead time was in 1944

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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