leadership

noun

lead·​er·​ship ˈlē-dər-ˌship 

1

: the office or position of a leader

recently assumed the leadership of the company

2

: capacity to lead

a politician who lacks leadership

3

: the act or an instance of leading

… leadership molds individuals into a team …

—Harold Koontz and Cyril O'Donnell

4

: leaders

the party leadership

Examples of leadership in a Sentence

a politician who lacks leadership

What this country needs is the exercise of strong leadership!

Recent Examples on the Web

The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

The Giants will continue to lean on the 10-year veteran’s leadership. — Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026

Pleasant, who has observed Iamaleava’s growth over their year and change in Westwood, continues to be impressed with his quarterback’s leadership. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing leadership

• under someone's leadership

Rhymes for leadership

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip