LEADING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does leading mean? 

• LEADING (noun)
  The noun LEADING has 2 senses:

1. thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

2. the activity of leading

  Familiarity information: LEADING used as a noun is rare.

• LEADING (adjective)
  The adjective LEADING has 4 senses:

1. indicating the most important performer or role

2. greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement

3. going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way

4. having the leading position or higher score in a contest

  Familiarity information: LEADING used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LEADING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lead; leading

Hypernyms ("leading" is a kind of...):

slip; strip (artifact consisting of a narrow flat piece of material)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The activity of leading

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

leadership; leading

Context example:

his leadership inspired the team

Hypernyms ("leading" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "leading"):

helm ((figurative) a position of leadership)

lead (a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase 'take the lead'))

trend setting (the initiating or popularizing of a trend or fashion)

• LEADING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Indicating the most important performer or role

Synonyms:

leading; prima; star; starring; stellar

Context example:

a stellar performance

Similar:

major (of greater importance or stature or rank)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement

Synonyms:

leading; preeminent

Context example:

a preeminent archeologist

Similar:

superior (of or characteristic of high rank or importance)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way

Context example:

the leading edge of technology

Similar:

directing; directional; directive; guiding (showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on)

guiding (exerting control or influence)

Antonym:

following (going or proceeding or coming after in the same direction)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Having the leading position or higher score in a contest

Synonyms:

ahead; in the lead; leading

Context example:

the leading team in the pennant race

Similar:

up (being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level)

 Context examples 

But a new element has been introduced into the case which may account for his leading the horse from the stable.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had been on intimate terms with the leading politicians of several countries.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In the same way his other articles were tied up with the other leading San Francisco papers.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

(Rare mutations reduce heart disease risk, NIH)

High numbers of people are living in deprivation around the world and depression is a leading cause of disability on a global scale.

(Depression - men far more at risk than women in deprived areas, University of Cambridge)

These isotopes indicate the types of food consumed by the individual in the years leading up to their death.

(Analysis of the Palaeolithic diet finds that, in the prehistoric age, for thousands of years there were no social divisions in food consumption, University of Granada)

Its leaves and shoots were green then, and the day being sunny, a pair of glass doors leading to the garden were thrown open.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Here, leading up the left fork, he came upon a fresh track.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The first to act was Harker, who, with a quick movement, threw himself before the door leading into the room in the front of the house.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Buck heard them go and raised his head to see, Pike was leading, Sol-leks was at the wheel, and between were Joe and Teek.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)