leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlē-dər 

1

: something that leads: such as

a

: a primary or terminal shoot of a plant

b

: tendon, sinew

the leaders in his wrists moved like baling wire

—Dillon Anderson

c

leaders plural : dots or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally : ellipsis sense 2

d

chiefly British : a newspaper editorial

e(1)

: something for guiding fish into a trap

(2)

: a short length of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

f

: loss leader

g

: something that ranks first

the leaders among communicable diseases

h

: a blank section at the beginning or end of a reel of film or recorded tape

2

: a person who leads: such as

a

: guide, conductor

The tour leader recommended several restaurants in the area.

b(1)

: a person who directs a military force or unit

leaders of the army

(2)

: a person who has commanding authority or influence

a leader in the reform movement

c(1)

: the principal officer of a British political party

(2)

: a party member chosen to manage party activities in a legislative body

the majority leader

(3)

: such a party member presiding over the whole legislative body when the party constitutes a majority

the leader of the House

d(1)

: conductor sense c

the orchestra's leader

(2)

: a first or principal performer of a group

The concertmaster is the leader of the violin section.

3

: a horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team

leaderless

ˈlē-dər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• channel
• conduit
• duct
• line
• penstock
• pipe
• trough
• tube

Examples of leader in a Sentence

The tour leader suggested several restaurants in the area.

She was the leader for most of the race, but she eventually finished second.

The class focused on the great religious leaders of the last century.

the leader of an army

a leader of the antiwar movement

Some people are leaders, and some people are followers.

The company has become a leader in developing new technology.

the leader of a popular big band of the 1930s

The Times attacked the government in a leader today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump 100 days: Former president's success created measuring stick for future leaders Poll: Trump loses trust on the economy as 100-day mark nears From Trump to Reagan: Their first 100 days Trump promised to improve the economy on Day 1. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 9 May 2025

President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

My hope for 2025 is that marketing leaders embrace the myriad possibilities of GenAI to improve productivity and the customer experience. —Jennifer Chase, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

The high-profile event is expected to be attended by the leaders of several countries that are friendly with Russia, including China’s Xi Jinping. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing leader

• born/natural leader
• co-leader
• floor leader
• follow-the-leader
• leader of the opposition
• loss leader
• majority leader
• minority leader
• squadron leader

Rhymes for leader

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

Kids Definition

leader

noun

lead·​er ˈlēd-ər 

1

: something that leads: as

a

: a short line for attaching the end of a fishing line to a lure or hook

b

: a pipe for conducting fluid

2

: a person that leads: as

a

: guide entry 1 sense 1a

b

: commander sense 1

c

: conductor sense 2

d

: a person in charge or in control : boss, chief

3

: a horse placed in front of the other horses of a team

leaderless

-ləs 

adjective

leadership

-ˌship

noun