: the time between the beginning of a process or project and the appearance of its results
Examples of lead time in a Sentence
We will need at least six months lead time before production begins.
Recent Examples on the Web
The result is a tightening of commodity memory supply, rising prices, and longer lead times with ripple effects that touch almost every industry.
—
Sha Rabii, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
If there’s a de-escalation, the market will focus on Dover’s accelerating organic growth and its exposure to businesses with shorter lead times, such as fuel pumps and refrigeration components.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Naming a replacement team with only a few weeks of lead time would come with challenges.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
—Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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Sha Rabii, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
If there’s a de-escalation, the market will focus on Dover’s accelerating organic growth and its exposure to businesses with shorter lead times, such as fuel pumps and refrigeration components.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Naming a replacement team with only a few weeks of lead time would come with challenges.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
What is the lead time for customization, manufacturing, and delivery?
—Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lead time
Cite this Entry
“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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