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

Derek’s leadership will ensure the brand evolves with authenticity, honoring its original DNA while creating products that reflect how people live today. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Thanks to the strategy and investments by local, state and federal leadership, Arkansas is creating more resilient infrastructure, leading the way in workforce training, and attracting new industry to our state. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026

Lawmakers’ growing reluctance to fulfill Hegseth’s eye-popping budget request reflects real intraparty concerns about his leadership, his relationship with Congress, and the ongoing war with Iran. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Why quarterback Justin Herbert isn’t questioning Chargers’ leadership amid winless start. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 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