Definition of leading
- a leading question
- the leading story
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.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leading.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
1597
arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, main, master, overbearing, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme;
inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant;
distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior;
high-level, senior, top;
important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant;
incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed;
: having great importance, influence, or success
: most important
See words that rhyme with leading Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leading Spanish Central: Translation of leading Nglish: Translation of leading for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of leading for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leading
What made you want to look up leading? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZTest Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ