leadership

noun

lead·​er·​ship ˈlē-dər-ˌship 

1

: the office or position of a leader

recently assumed the leadership of the company

2

: capacity to lead

a politician who lacks leadership

3

: the act or an instance of leading

… leadership molds individuals into a team …

—Harold Koontz and Cyril O'Donnell

4

: leaders

the party leadership

Examples of leadership in a Sentence

a politician who lacks leadership

What this country needs is the exercise of strong leadership!

Recent Examples on the Web

Spirit, energy and enthusiasm When there were loud external calls for upgrades at safety in August, head coach Dave Canales firmly backed Scott because of his leadership and understanding of the defense. —Mike Kaye january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026

Labor strikes are not allowed, the leadership has control over the courts and media, and last but not least, opposition to the party is not allowed. —Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026

Republicans in the hearing largely targeted Walz and his leadership, placing blame for the fraud occurring under his watch. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

Philosophy professor Martin Peterson submitted the syllabus for his Contemporary Moral Issues class for the spring 2026 semester to department leadership for review during the school’s winter break. —Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing leadership

• under someone's leadership

Rhymes for leadership

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip