leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlē-dər 

1

: a person or animal who leads

They chose her as their leader.

the leader of the pack

: such as

a

: someone who directs another's way : 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

Her teachers declared her a born/natural leader.

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/minority 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.

2

: 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

The Times attacked the government in a leader today.

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

Next, we learned about the five basic components of fly-fishing equipment—the rod, reel, line, leader, and flies.

—Terry Lee Foose

f

: loss leader

g

: something that ranks first

the leaders in the competition

the leaders among communicable diseases

h

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

3

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

In a tandem, two horses are driven one in front of the other, rather than side by side as in a pair. The … horse closest to the vehicle is between the shafts but the leader is out in front by himself connected … only by leather traces and guided by 28-foot reins.

—Horseplay

leaderless

ˈlē-dər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms of leader

• pioneer
• pacesetter

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

Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit. —Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

The Hornets made two interceptions, including one by Koa Akui, the team leader with five picks. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025

Over the course of the three-day summit, attendees and Goldman leaders talked all things AI—from the most lucrative investments, to the tech’s impact on the environment, and its potential to innovate industries. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025

Midway through the first season of their three-year deals, the advantage goes heavily toward Diggs, who’s also been a tremendous leader. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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