leading

1 of 2

adjective

lead·​ing ˈlē-diŋ 

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

leading

2 of 2

noun

lead·​ing ˈle-diŋ 

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 of leading

Adjective

• main
• greatest
• highest
• primary
• dominant
• predominant
• foremost
• first
• big

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

Adjective

Half of the survey’s 237 respondents ranked cybersecurity as the leading priority. — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

The Oldenburg Film Festival, Germany’s leading indie film fest, will honor actress and stunt legend Zoë Bell this year with a tribute to her life’s work. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

Toronto was missing leading scorer Marina Mabrey because of a neck injury. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

The drama began Wednesday, when a Maasdam staffer posted internal polling showing Lawrence leading, Maasdam in second, and Brink in third, to social media. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing leading

• leading article
• leading brand
• leading edge
• leading lady
• leading light
• leading man
• leading question
• leading tone

Rhymes for leading

• beading
• bleeding
• breeding
• ceding
• feeding
• heeding
• kneading
• needing
• pleading
• reding
• seeding
• speeding

Kids Definition

leading

adjective

lead·​ing ˈlēd-iŋ 

1

: coming or ranking first or among the first : foremost

2

: exercising leadership

3

: providing direction or guidance

a leading question