leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlē-dər 

1

: something that leads: such as

a

: a primary or terminal shoot of a plant

b

: tendon, sinew

the leaders in his wrists moved like baling wire

—Dillon Anderson

c

leaders plural : dots or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally : ellipsis sense 2

d

chiefly British : a newspaper editorial

e(1)

: something for guiding fish into a trap

(2)

: a short length of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

f

: loss leader

g

: something that ranks first

the leaders among communicable diseases

h

: a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape

2

: a person who leads: such as

a

: guide, conductor

The tour leader recommended several restaurants in the area.

b(1)

: a person who directs a military force or unit

leaders of the army

(2)

: a person who has commanding authority or influence

a leader in the reform movement

c(1)

: the principal officer of a British political party

(2)

: a party member chosen to manage party activities in a legislative body

the majority leader

(3)

: such a party member presiding over the whole legislative body when the party constitutes a majority

the leader of the House

d(1)

: conductor sense c

the orchestra's leader

(2)

: a first or principal performer of a group

The concertmaster is the leader of the violin section.

3

: a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team

leaderless

ˈlē-dər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• conduit
• pipe
• channel
• tube
• line

Examples of leader in a Sentence

The tour leader suggested several restaurants in the area.

She was the leader for most of the race, but she eventually finished second.

The class focused on the great religious leaders of the last century.

the leader of an army

a leader of the antiwar movement

Some people are leaders, and some people are followers.

The company has become a leader in developing new technology.

the leader of a popular big band of the 1930s

The Times attacked the government in a leader today.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the research team leader, Lin Xianfeng, an associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with the renowned Zhejiang University, the adhesive can achieve precise fixation within two to three minutes, even in a blood-rich environment. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025

The message seemed to point to his past music that alludes to leaders of rival criminal organizations. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025

Kirk assassination angers and unsettles leaders, residents The assassination of Kirk, which happened in front of hundreds of people and was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has in particular rattled the nation and drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. —Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025

The new court order comes a few months after California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 20 other state leaders sued the administration over the policy change in July. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing leader

• born/natural leader
• co-leader
• floor leader
• follow-the-leader
• leader of the opposition
• loss leader
• majority leader
• minority leader
• squadron leader

Rhymes for leader

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

Kids Definition

leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlēd-ər 

1

: something that leads: as

a

: a short line for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

b

: a pipe for conducting fluid

2

: a person that leads: as

a

: guide entry 1 sense 1a

b

: commander sense 1

c

: conductor sense 2

d

: a person in charge or in control : boss, chief

3

: a horse placed in front of the other horses of a team

leaderless

-ləs 

adjective

leadership

-ˌship

noun