1
: coming or ranking first : foremost
2
: exercising leadership
3
: providing direction or guidance
a leading question
4
: given most prominent display
the leading story
plural leadings
1
: a covering or framework of lead
repaired the leading in the church's stained glass windows
2
typography
: the distance between a pair of adjacent lines in composed text
increased the leading after the header
a leading of 6 points
Synonyms
Adjective
Examples of leading in a Sentence
Adjective
a leading topic of conversation
Their family played a leading part in the settlement of the town.
the leading role in a major Hollywood movie
a leading citizen of the town
She's one of the leading authorities on the stock market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Conor Murray, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In his decades in the industry — dating back to his years on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains — he's grown up in front of the cameras, achieving leading man status at a young age and remaining a forever heartthrob, not to mention in-demand actor.
—Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
In contrast, the Group of Seven leading economies, or G7, represents less than 10% of the world’s population and 30% of the global economy.
—Jorge Heine, The Conversation, 8 Nov. 2023
The federal appeals court in D.C. agreed to pause — or, in legal parlance, stay — the gag order while the court considers whether such restrictions violate his constitutional free-speech rights, both as an individual and as a leading presidential candidate.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
Moms for Liberty has also made common cause with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, which played a leading role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023
In the first half’s final minutes — with Stoned leading, 4-3 — the players could hear the sounds of Big Karma, a Grateful Dead cover band that had set up about 100 yards from the field.
—George Gurley, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
Even as Biden brokered truces with progressive lawmakers, Sinema broke away, taking a leading role in helping to water down the Build Back Better Act.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
Burlesque marked Aguilera’s first leading role in a film, as well as Cher’s first musical performance on screen.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2023
Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Southlake Carroll Class: 6A | Preseason area ranking: 3
Notable: Southlake Carroll will have to replace the production of the program’s all-time leading rusher Owen Allen but returns its starting quarterback from last season — Georgia Tech commit Graham Knowles.
5.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 23 Aug. 2023
For example, in May 2022, Lucy Calkins, an education professor and leading advocate of balanced literacy, announced a major retreat.
—Marion Blank, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2023
The Yankees were so desperate to generate offense that Isiah Kiner-Falefa tried bunting for a hit with Giancarlo Stanton on first base and the Sox leading, 4-0, in the second inning.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
The song is from Scott’s new album Utopia, which premieres at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking his third leading set.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2023
The state’s cluster of leading robotics companies includes Amazon Robotics, 6 River Systems, and VECNA Robotics.
—Aruni Soni, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023
Linebacker was a position of need for the Tigers this offseason after losing four-year starter and leading tackler Owen Pappoe, and Tolan was one of two additions at that spot, along with Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 6 Apr. 2023
Asian indexes were mostly lower, with the Hang Seng leading losses, amid concerns about China’s property sector.
—WSJ, 18 July 2023
See More
Adjective
Jackson is a two-time Oscar winner, winning the award of best actress in a leading role for the films A Touch of Class (1973) and Women in Love (1969).
—Conor Murray, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
In his decades in the industry — dating back to his years on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains — he's grown up in front of the cameras, achieving leading man status at a young age and remaining a forever heartthrob, not to mention in-demand actor.
—Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
In contrast, the Group of Seven leading economies, or G7, represents less than 10% of the world’s population and 30% of the global economy.
—Jorge Heine, The Conversation, 8 Nov. 2023
The federal appeals court in D.C. agreed to pause — or, in legal parlance, stay — the gag order while the court considers whether such restrictions violate his constitutional free-speech rights, both as an individual and as a leading presidential candidate.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 5 Nov. 2023
Moms for Liberty has also made common cause with extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, which played a leading role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023
In the first half’s final minutes — with Stoned leading, 4-3 — the players could hear the sounds of Big Karma, a Grateful Dead cover band that had set up about 100 yards from the field.
—George Gurley, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023
Even as Biden brokered truces with progressive lawmakers, Sinema broke away, taking a leading role in helping to water down the Build Back Better Act.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 4 Nov. 2023
Burlesque marked Aguilera’s first leading role in a film, as well as Cher’s first musical performance on screen.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2023
Noun
Behind the luxury hotels and yachts was a largely invisible work force toiling long hours under a blazing sun, providing spearfishing and diving lessons, staffing yacht parties or leading tours.
—Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Southlake Carroll Class: 6A | Preseason area ranking: 3
Notable: Southlake Carroll will have to replace the production of the program’s all-time leading rusher Owen Allen but returns its starting quarterback from last season — Georgia Tech commit Graham Knowles.
5.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 23 Aug. 2023
For example, in May 2022, Lucy Calkins, an education professor and leading advocate of balanced literacy, announced a major retreat.
—Marion Blank, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2023
The Yankees were so desperate to generate offense that Isiah Kiner-Falefa tried bunting for a hit with Giancarlo Stanton on first base and the Sox leading, 4-0, in the second inning.
—Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
The song is from Scott’s new album Utopia, which premieres at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking his third leading set.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2023
The state’s cluster of leading robotics companies includes Amazon Robotics, 6 River Systems, and VECNA Robotics.
—Aruni Soni, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023
Linebacker was a position of need for the Tigers this offseason after losing four-year starter and leading tackler Owen Pappoe, and Tolan was one of two additions at that spot, along with Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 6 Apr. 2023
Asian indexes were mostly lower, with the Hang Seng leading losses, amid concerns about China’s property sector.
—WSJ, 18 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leading.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing leading
Dictionary Entries Near leading
Cite this Entry
“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on leading
Nglish: Translation of leading for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of leading for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leading
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